The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that all under 40s should be offered an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine following blood clot risk
The announcement follows the decision made on the 7th of April to offer a preference for adults aged under 30.
Adverse events following the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine are extremely rare, however, the MHRA has received 242 reports of blood clotting cases in people who also had low levels of platelets.
The JCVI has now advised that an alternative vaccine should be offered to adults aged 30 to 39 without underlying health conditions, where available and only if it does not cause delays in being vaccinated.
Those who have already had a first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine should receive a second dose of the same jab, irrespective of age, except for the small number of people who experienced blood clots with low platelet counts from their first vaccination.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, COVID-19 Chair for JCVI, said:
“Safety remains our number one priority. We have continued to assess the benefit-risk balance of COVID-19 vaccines in light of UK infection rates and the latest information from the MHRA on the extremely rare event of blood clots and low platelet counts following vaccination.
“As COVID-19 rates continue to come under control, we are advising that adults aged 18 to 39 years with no underlying health conditions are offered an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, if available and if it does not cause delays in having the vaccine. The advice is specific to circumstances in the UK at this time and maximises use of the wide portfolio of vaccines available.
“The COVID-19 vaccines have already saved thousands of lives and the benefit for the majority of the population is clear – if you are offered the vaccine, you should take it.”
Blood clot symptoms
Anyone who experiences the following symptoms from around 4 days to 4 weeks after vaccination is advised to seek prompt medical advice:
- A severe headache that is not relieved with painkillers or is getting worse
- A headache that feels worse when you lie down or bend over
- A headache that is unusual for you and occurs with blurred vision, feeling or being sick, problems speaking, weakness, drowsiness or seizures
- A rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal pain
We are aged 55 and 69 and had our 1st AstraZeneca jab at the beginning of March. We are due to have the 2nd jab AstraZeneca next week but we are very concerned about the possibility of blood clots caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine. We are not entirely sure yet if we will attend the appointment for the 2nd jab next week. We spoke to a GP and were told: “If you don’t want AstraZeneca, you will get nothing.” Why can’t we have as 2nd jab Moderna or Pfizer? Our relative (50) who lives in Germany, had the 1st jab AstraZeneca two months ago and will now receive Pfizer as 2nd jab. We don’t think it is fair that only younger people will get Moderna or Pfizer, while older people have no change but to take AstraZeneca or to get nothing. Blood clots are a serious matter and nobody should be expected to be put in danger, not even older people. The rule set by the government and JCVI is age discrimination and cannot be accepted.
Also older people must be given a chance to choose between Moderna or Pfizer vaccine if they do not want the AstraZeneca vaccine due to possible blood clots. The new rule that only younger people will be vaccinated with Moderna or Pfizer, is not fair. Older people must also have a right to receive a safe Covid vaccine, without living in fear that they may get blood clots within 4-28 days after having received AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca vaccine is not safe and the government should make the decision to withdraw this vaccine and only use Moderna and Pfizer for now.
We are aged 55 and 69 and had our 1st AstraZeneca jab at the beginning of March. We are due to have the 2nd jab AstraZeneca next week but we are very concerned about the possibility of blood clots caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine. We are not entirely sure yet if we will attend the appointment for the 2nd jab next week. We spoke to a GP and were told: “If you don’t want AstraZeneca, you will get nothing.” Why can’t we have as 2nd jab Moderna or Pfizer? Our relative (50) who lives in Germany, had the 1st jab AstraZeneca two months ago and will now receive Pfizer as 2nd jab. We don’t think it is fair that only younger people will get Moderna or Pfizer, while older people have no chance but to take AstraZeneca or to get nothing. Blood clots are a serious matter and nobody should be expected to be put in danger, not even older people. The rule set by the government and JCVI is age discrimination and cannot be accepted.