Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[StevieM]

I've just booked mine. I'm not quite 50 yet, but I am an unpaid carer for my elderly mum, which is now included as a valid reason.

[Ditto]

That sucks. Did it say why?

Hmmmm.... when I posted the link in a WhatsUp group, the banner that is generated says use this 'if you have been contacted'. This nearby link, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/how-you-will-be-contacted/ , says over 50 don't need to wait to be contacted. Could it be it takes a while for the system roll-out to get itself fully up to date?

[Ditto]

Maybe because I just turned 50 on Monday perhaps

 

HBTY for Monday! Over 50 is over 50 though - does it calculate one's DOB retrospectively?

[Ditto]

I've just booked mine. I'm not quite 50 yet, but I am an unpaid carer for my elderly mum, which is now included as a valid reason.

Interesting. Do the NHS or linked systems know that detail? Either way, it's a fantastic thing we are progressing at such speed with the roll out.

[Boredguy]

Well website now says over 50's so you'd kinda hope it knows

[StevieM]

Just tried registering and I was told I wasn't eligible

That sucks. Did it say why?

Maybe because I just turned 50 on Monday perhaps

 

Ah! In that case, you may be on one of the bottom rows of the Excel spreadsheet.

 

(Happy birthday for Monday, by the way!)

[StevieM]

Interesting. Do the NHS or linked systems know that detail? Either way, it's a fantastic thing we are progressing at such speed with the roll out.

I don't think so. Unpaid carer came up as one of the options so I selected it, answered a couple more questions and was accepted. It will be a huge reassurance for me and my mum.

Edited March 17, 2021 by StevieM

[Davit2005]

Nearly 51, just got informed by a colleague they were sending messages round so both 1st and 2nd booked in.

 

I have a few long covid symptoms so see what occurs.

[sonofsanta]

Hmmmm.... when I posted the link in a WhatsUp group, the banner that is generated says use this 'if you have been contacted'. This nearby link, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/how-you-will-be-contacted/ , says over 50 don't need to wait to be contacted. Could it be it takes a while for the system roll-out to get itself fully up to date?

 

 

They've not updated the meta tag in the header (which is what WhatsApp picks up):

   
   
   
[b]
   [/b]

You've not needed the letter for weeks now, just to be eligible, so just an overlooked detail from their IT team

[mikeprice]

I've been following all this stuff about the AV vaccine being paused ina a lot or EU countries

 

The figures do not seem to support the decision - and I have been wondering about them - the incidence of clots it way below the normal rates never mind being increased

 

today there was a UK Doctor who said what I have been thinking

 

it seems like the vaccine actually lowers that rate of clots rather than increasing it - the data that is being used to justify the pause actually seems to show a possibility of the opposite??

 

not to a massive amount enough to justify saying it prevents clots - but certainly not the opposite

 

I think

[elsiegee40]

Sorry if this has already been posted. Interesting article on reaction to the vaccine.

 

Vaccine side effects: My experience of them and what they mean https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56375307

 

TL; DR

 

1. The older you are, the less the side effects - the over-70s have almost no side effects.

 

(Some people's immune systems run a little bit hotter and are more prone to reacting aggressively and that is more common in younger people

 

There are two phases to the immune response: The first is called the innate response and includes a chemical fire alarm. The other half is the adaptive response which learns and then remembers how to fight an infection by designing B-cells that produce antibodies to seek out and destroy the virus, as well as T-cells which can attack any of the body's cells which have been infected.

 

It's the early innate phase of the immune response that varies with age and varies amongst people and that's what determines the strength of your side effects.)

 

2. Reaction the second dose of AZ is milder than the first while the reverse may be true for Pfizer.

[Garacesh]

Had my first vaccine today.

I have absolutely no idea why I was called in for it, I'm only 30 with no long-standing medical issues, but I'm not gonna kick up a fuss about it.

[Ditto]

I've been following all this stuff about the AV vaccine being paused ina a lot or EU countries

 

The figures do not seem to support the decision - and I have been wondering about them - the incidence of clots it way below the normal rates never mind being increased

 

today there was a UK Doctor who said what I have been thinking

 

it seems like the vaccine actually lowers that rate of clots rather than increasing it - the data that is being used to justify the pause actually seems to show a possibility of the opposite??

 

not to a massive amount enough to justify saying it prevents clots - but certainly not the opposite

 

I think

I fear there is a EU political influence (and listening to coverage in Russia, there is outright propaganda) which is undermining the situation and discussion - beyond that I'll stay off politics and request others do the same.

 

The standard line is that their is no evidence to support a link between the vaccine and the blood clots. As you point out, the data suggests potentially the opposite at a holistic level. Interestingly, the virus has shown it can cause severe thickening and clotting of blood, but I've yet to see much discussion about this in relation to the vaccine. You'd think with a vaccine that in some ways mimics the virus, that some would jump to a linked conclusion. Equally, there isn't really strong proof that the vaccine isn't responsible for the individual cases of clotting either, as each of those impacted has their own unique DNA and life environment. It's the old issue of correlation and causation. It's a hard fact that researching each of the bumps along the way is going to be extremely costly and very time consuming. Sadly, this virus isn't going to give any of us time. In this scenario, we're left with decision making at a super-group level and the evidence, IMHO, is that on the balance of risks, it's going to save more lives continuing to continuing to use AZ than not. I expect those countries that have suspended AZ use, will soon back track. I just can't see evidence coming forward (bar a dodgy batch - and I find that unlikely) to support not doing so.

[Ditto]

Sorry if this has already been posted. Interesting article on reaction to the vaccine.

 

Vaccine side effects: My experience of them and what they mean https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56375307

 

TL; DR

 

1. The older you are, the less the side effects - the over-70s have almost no side effects.

 

(Some people's immune systems run a little bit hotter and are more prone to reacting aggressively and that is more common in younger people

 

There are two phases to the immune response: The first is called the innate response and includes a chemical fire alarm. The other half is the adaptive response which learns and then remembers how to fight an infection by designing B-cells that produce antibodies to seek out and destroy the virus, as well as T-cells which can attack any of the body's cells which have been infected.

 

It's the early innate phase of the immune response that varies with age and varies amongst people and that's what determines the strength of your side effects.)

 

2. Reaction the second dose of AZ is milder than the first while the reverse may be true for Pfizer.

Yes, saw that and it was interesting. Also, the suggestion that if you have had the virus, you might have a stronger reaction, which given this journalists role, you'd think is a distinct possibility. I was also struck by the end outcome in terms of immunity level was the same regardless of age, but your reaction to the vaccine became less severe with age. At last! A benefit of getting older

[the_quick]

Would be good for the British media to include comments from these countries medical officers. I'm bit surprised they are pausing vaccination, even after EU medical offer said it is safe.

[elsiegee40]

Yes, saw that and it was interesting. Also, the suggestion that if you have had the virus, you might have a stronger reaction, which given this journalists role, you'd think is a distinct possibility. I was also struck by the end outcome in terms of immunity level was the same regardless of age, but your reaction to the vaccine became less severe with age. At last! A benefit of getting older

 

My 24 year old son who got covid before Christmas may be in for a bad reaction

[Andrew_C]

According to Patient Info...

Overall, there have been 37 cases of potentially serious clots reported across the UK and Europe, out of about 17 million doses of AZ vaccine delivered. The Norwegian Medicines Agency notes that in the case of blood clots or brain bleeds, the patients had in common low levels of platelets, putting them at risk of bleeding.

 

In relation to bleeding, the UK reporting system has received 35 cases where people developed low platelets, in the period following vaccination with AZ vaccine. This is out of 11 million AZ vaccines delivered in the UK. The equivalent figure for the Pfizer vaccine is similar at 22 reports.

 

But very little reporting of the Pfiser results. I smell a rat.

[jmak]

As a species we have an innate tendency to look for patterns. This is one of the reasons for our success but has the side effect that we tend to find them whether they're there or not.

 

The aim here needs to be to get as many people vaccinated as possible. I'm not sure whether trying to explain that there's no justification for pausing the roll out and pushing ahead would be better, or whether they're right to pause and wait for some more data as a way of achieving the desired outcome.

 

If people already don't trust you, telling them their fears are unjustified might not get you very far. What the reasons are for that lack of trust is an entirely separate issue.

[Ditto]

According to Patient Info... But very little reporting of the Pfiser results. I smell a rat.

I had given consideration to the comparison with Pfizer and not come to any conclusion, but noted that it didn't seem to be a topic widely discussed in the media. It would be helpful to know the percentage of Pfizer vs AZ jabs in each country, but that report includes an observation by Prof. Evans that notes, in the UK at least, the data is amazingly similar between the two in terms of blood clot incidences. Perhaps Norway is only using AZ? If not, you'd think they'd pause Pfizer vaccines too?

[Andrew_C]

If not, you'd think they'd pause Pfizer vaccines too?

Unless "politics"?

[caffrey]

Finally got a chance to register, picked the closest location to me and there are no available appointments, think I'll just have to wait til my GP gets in touch

[Andrew_C]

I'll just have to wait til my GP gets in touch

Advantage of that is your GP gets a bounty of £12.50/head that they jab.

 

I'm starting to shiver 8 hours on...

[caffrey]

Although... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56435549

 

Guess I'm going to be unlucky

[elsiegee40]

Finally got a chance to register, picked the closest location to me and there are no available appointments, think I'll just have to wait til my GP gets in touch

 

Keep trying. Hopefully an appointment will come up

[stevejp]

I've been following all this stuff about the AV vaccine being paused ina a lot or EU countries

 

The figures do not seem to support the decision - and I have been wondering about them - the incidence of clots it way below the normal rates never mind being increased

 

today there was a UK Doctor who said what I have been thinking

 

it seems like the vaccine actually lowers that rate of clots rather than increasing it - the data that is being used to justify the pause actually seems to show a possibility of the opposite??

 

not to a massive amount enough to justify saying it prevents clots - but certainly not the opposite

 

I think

 

The problem is, it’s the clots who are making the decisions...