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Pfizer versus AZ Vaccine.

(118 Posts)
MayBeMaw Wed 15-Sep-21 08:35:09

My apologies to Smileless - I meant VioletSky blush

MayBeMaw Wed 15-Sep-21 08:34:02

VioletSky

I've heard of a lot of people having auto immune conditions after Pfizer.

I had AZ and apart from being unwell for 24 hours it was fine.

So I'm surprised!

I think this is fake news Smileless or at best coincidence and anecdotal.
No proven link between vaccines and autoimmune diseases exists.
The claim that vaccines can provoke autoimmune diseases predates the current pandemic and is a tactic long used by opponents to discredit vaccines.
Despite numerous studies looking for associations between the two, no vaccines have consistently been shown to cause autoimmune disease.

I understand the AZ is it being used for the boosters because of the rare chance of clots
I think you may have this the wrong way round Coolgran
Booster jabs are to be rolled out to all over 50s, younger adults with health conditions, and frontline health and care workers. The third dose will be offered six months after the second dose, with the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna jab recommended. It will be rolled out from next week.

Santana Wed 15-Sep-21 08:19:25

In my area the Pfizer vaccine was available first, and only in places where it could be kept at the required extra low temperature. So vaccination hubs at hospitals and a couple of GP practices.
A few weeks later the large scale vaccination centres opened giving AZ. I could book mine there or wait for GP surgery . Nothing to do with age really, just if you were higher up the list you got the first one available.
Both equally as effective, and whole thing very well organised here. Elderly people at home were given AZ by a group of retired GPs in a charitable organisation approved by the NHS trust.

VioletSky Wed 15-Sep-21 08:10:16

I've heard of a lot of people having auto immune conditions after Pfizer.

I had AZ and apart from being unwell for 24 hours it was fine.

So I'm surprised!

Lincslass Wed 15-Sep-21 08:02:09

I had the Pfizer vaccine, both DD had AZ, with no ill effects. We were grateful to get it, both have good efficacy against the virus. Those who are nit picking about one is better than the other , not really appropriate when many of the worlds population have not had the choice of either.

Casdon Wed 15-Sep-21 07:57:47

I don’t think there is anything sinister theworriedwell, as they are still giving AZ as the first dose to over 40s at vaccination centres in the UK.

theworriedwell Wed 15-Sep-21 07:53:00

Calendargirl

On the News last night, Fergus (health reporter) implied that in future the AZ vaccine wouldn’t be used much here, it would be sent to other countries.

I was surprised when I heard that. I had AZ and it didn't worry me which I had but when I heard that it did make me wonder if they aren't telling us all they know. I wonder where he got that information from.

Hetty58 Wed 15-Sep-21 07:43:42

I haven't been aware of any difference in which vaccine was given for certain ages. Here, our local centre had AZ one week and Pfizer the next.

I didn't understand why some people wanted a choice - and tried to weigh up the risks and benefits. I'm just happy to be offered a booster.

It could make all the difference when I catch it (as I think most of us will, sooner or later) by keeping me relatively well and out of hospital!

BlueBelle Wed 15-Sep-21 07:34:54

It shouldn’t be a divide this is awful saying ones better than the other and all these rumours and counter rumours
They are equally safe they are equally helpful as any vaccine given in these unprecedented times can be
My friend in Africa had the China vaccine and was tremendously grateful there was none of this, mine might be 2 % less effective They took and were thankful
I think the rumours in Australia and other countries about AZ have been terrible be blooming glad we ve got what we ve got and think of all the countries that haven’t had a look in yet

Casdon Wed 15-Sep-21 07:28:08

I’d assumed, maybe wrongly that it was as a result of the trials they did to ascertain effectiveness of the combinations, as they are different types of vaccines. The AZ vaccine is being updated to take account of the Delta variant, so maybe it isn’t yet ready for distribution?

Calendargirl Wed 15-Sep-21 07:16:41

On the News last night, Fergus (health reporter) implied that in future the AZ vaccine wouldn’t be used much here, it would be sent to other countries.

CafeAuLait Wed 15-Sep-21 07:11:48

I had Pfizer. It was the one for my age group. Everything has risks but I felt better about getting Pfizer.

BigBertha1 Wed 15-Sep-21 05:35:36

Different for us. DH is over 70 and had Pfizer I am under 70 and had AZ. Neither of us had side effects. We understand that we will be given Pfizer as a booster. We feel having read all we can that taking into account of health status (we both have significant health issues) that there us little difference for us and we are glad and grateful for both/either. We are going about a normal but cautious life out in public. Neither of us have to work and our socialising us largely outdoors on a golf club. Other than that we don't dwell on it.

Coolgran65 Wed 15-Sep-21 04:59:00

I was wondering about this also. I got the AZ jabs because I was 70+ and my dh got the Pfeizzer jabs being under 70. I understand the AZ is it being used for the boosters because of the rare chance of clots.

sharon103 Wed 15-Sep-21 01:56:21

MayBee70

I don’t think it is lower quality. If it is it’s only fractionally so. I was quite happy to have it and I’d be happy to have it again. I wish I knew the figures for which vaccine people who were doubly vaccinated but still caught covid were given.

Yes that's an interesting question MayBee70.
I'd like to know that too.

MayBee70 Wed 15-Sep-21 01:42:34

I don’t think it is lower quality. If it is it’s only fractionally so. I was quite happy to have it and I’d be happy to have it again. I wish I knew the figures for which vaccine people who were doubly vaccinated but still caught covid were given.

nanna8 Wed 15-Sep-21 01:13:04

I’m awaiting the comments eagerly. There is a feeling here that the az is lower quality. That is what we over 60 s were offered, no choice but it is hard to sort out facts from spin and I really don’t know.

MayBee70 Wed 15-Sep-21 01:01:14

I’ve been pondering on this all night. Why is the Pfizer vaccine the one that is being widely used? It’s only a bit more effective that the AZ one and it is thought that the effectiveness of the AZ vaccine may actually improve over time. Both vaccines can have dangerous, albeit rare side effects, but it’s only the AZ one that gets lots of publicity. I thought that the whole point of the AZ vaccine being non profit making was so that the whole world could be vaccinated but that doesn’t seem to be happening. Is that why Sarah Gilbert is querying the fact that western countries are giving people booster jabs when so many people in poorer countries aren’t getting any. She’s probably thinking they might as well have made lots of money out of it which, knowing her, would have been put to good use. I just don’t understand what’s going on. Is there something I’m missing? Don’t get me wrong (and I’m being very two faced here) I’ll be first in the queue to get my booster when it’s offered as there’s no point me saying ‘give it someone the other side of the world’ as they wouldn’t be likely to get it anyway. I’m just a bit confused by it all.