AstraZeneca: Professor discusses vaccination of under-30s
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Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today, Professor Harnden said it’s likely a third wave will wash up on our shores, so vaccines and social distancing are the only ways out of this pandemic. Up to the end of March, 79 people out of 20 million have suffered blood clots after having the AstraZeneca vaccine. This risky side effect has led the Government to advise under-30s, with no underlying health conditions, to be offered another vaccine when eligible.
The Department of Health and Social Care recognise that the Oxford-AstraZeneca has “saved thousands of lives” and that it’s a precautionary measure for healthy younger adults to have another jab.
“It is preferable for people under the age of 30 with no underlying health conditions to be offered an alternative vaccine where possible once they are eligible,” said a spokesperson for the Government.
However, those who have already had their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine “should receive a second dose of the same brand – irrespective of age”.
This does not apply to “the very small number of people who experienced blood clots with low platelet counts from their first vaccine”.
The MHRA – the UK’s independent regulator – and the JCVI have said the benefits of the vaccine far outweighs the risks for the vast majority.
“When people are called forward, they should get their jab. Vaccines are the best way out of this pandemic and provide strong protection against COVID-19,” said a Government spokesperson.
The vaccination roll-out is currently “on track” to offer jabs to all adults by the end of July.
What other jabs are on offer?
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been approved for use in the UK but, as with any vaccine, they have their own risks.
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The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
More than one in 10 people will experience the following side effects following an injection:
- Pain at injection site
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Fever
Other common side effects – affecting up to one in 10 people – include:
- Injection site swelling
- Redness at injection site
- Nausea
Less than two in 100 people may experience enlarged lymph nodes and generally feel unwell.
Although rare, one in 1,000 people might have one side of their face droop temporarily.
The MHRA added: “Some people have reported a sudden feeling of cold with shivering/shaking accompanied by a rise in temperature,”
This may be accompanied by:
- Sweating
- Headache
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
- Feeling unwell
This tends to start within 24 hours of having the Pfizer vaccine and lasts for a day or two.
This is a breaking news story with more to come…
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