AstraZeneca Vaccine and Clot Risk - Any Advice?

[Jenny_F]

Hi all, I had my first AstraZeneca jab in Feb and had mild flu symptoms. I have ET and am on aspirin. I am excited but also nervous as I have my second one on the 10th of this month. Has there been any additional advice to avoid clotting with our condition post vaccine? I completely agree that the risks of catching and dying of covid are far worse and am pro-vaccine but I want to ensure that as a high risk group we do the right thing to prevent, however rarely, a clot.

[Kelly2]

Since you already had the first shot why are you now questioning it?

[lavender007 in reply to Kelly2]

That sounds a bit harsh. Or maybe I have got it wrongregards Lav

[Kelly2 in reply to lavender007]

A friend of mine has the same queries as you. She tested for antibodies from the first jab and since she has some is considering not having the second! When i wrote that, countries like Danemark and Sweden had not yet finished for ever with this particular vaccine. I certainly am not having it.

[Jenny_F in reply to Kelly2]

Well I saw the message from Guys and Maz ag MPN Voice and have had my second one. So far just had a sore arm, tiredness and a bit of a headache

[Paul_1971]

Hi

I read this about having a headaches for several days..

news.sky.com/story/covid-19...

[Jlah]

This is a valid question. The risk of COVID seems to outweigh the risks of the vaccine but I do think for people with platelet issues etc there is a need for vigilance given the links to clotting. Hopefully the mpn experts are looking into it. Jx

[Gordonek]

I have CVST... diagnosed 3 years ago... My symptoms were severe headaches (mainly around eyes) , blurred vision and balance problems... undiagnosed it eventually led to more recognisable stroke symptoms.

[Superwoman]

Morning Jenny, I have ET Jak2 positive had my first AZ jab in January now waiting for notification of second, not to good 48 hours after bad headache, and flu like symptoms but all these symptoms went after that timeBut today have read in the Saturday Daily (scare) Mail page 16 and unfortunately they now mention Thrombocytopenia and this being a patient who has abnormally low levels of platelets resulting in heavy bleeding, not sure if this applies to us as they do not mention Essential, just Thrombocytopenia they do mention CVST. At my last telephone appointment with my Haematologist, had my bloods done the day before in March, all my platelets had gone back to being in the near normal range, and he was really pleased as I have been under a lot of stress of late which he knew about and had increased my Hydroxycarbamide, as platelets had gone a bit high due to the stress.

I will get the second jab and look to the future and some sort of normality.

Jean

.

[Paul_1971]

I think one of the main issues is the amount of publicity and scrutiny the vaccines, especially the AZ one are coming under.

For example with the flu jab there is a 1 to 2 person per million jabs chance of contracting Guillain Barre Syndrome. So considering we vaccinated circa 30 million in the UK this past winter then you are looking at 30-60 cases which doesn't get discussed.

In my memory the discussion around protection levels and side effects that have taken place around the covid jabs is something we just don't see so publicly for things like the flu jab.

How many of us really knew the flu jab was only 50% effective ?

I still think this particular vaccine has been unfairly maligned in the EU.

I'm willing to bet the medications we take for our MPNs have a far greater chance of serious side effect (while still being very low)

Of course it can be a worry but if you look at probability, there is more chance of dying in the next 12 months from car travel than having a serious side effect to the covid vaccine.

[Wyebird in reply to Paul_1971]

Really love your post. It needs to be broadcasted as it really puts the issue into prospective.

[Jenny_F]

Because I had a bad time of it on the first vaccine and I wondered if there was any advice for those of us that have MPNs. as my assumption was we would be at a higher risk of clots. I am sure this is a risk with any of the vaccines for us. Like I said I am pro vaccine but would like as much info in order to protect myself.

[Paul_1971 in reply to Jenny_F]

I think the advice in the sky news link seems sensible. If you have any symptoms seek medical advice.

[Kari1961]

I fully understand your anxiety Jenny. I have PV and had my first AstraZeneca vaccine in late Feb, my second is due on May 10th.

When I read yesterday of the multiple UK blood clot deaths due to AZ my initial reaction, as well as shock, was that at least my bloods are going to be checked before my second dose and I get to speak to my Haem about it.

I take Hydroxy and Aspirin for my PV and at my last blood test on the 8th Feb, my Platelets were only 185 - So, just in the lower end of 'normal'. I'm thankfully having another FBC on Thursday 8th and then have my consultation on the 12th, where I will definitely be speaking to my Haem about my anxieties - and have faith that he will give me calming reassurance.

I also agree 100% with what Paul_1971 said. It helps, as a lot has been made of this clotting issue, which is anxiety inducing especially amongst people who have already had a CVA and who have a blood disorder.

Kari. x

[RobinBrum]

I know this seems cynical, but I can't help noticing the flood of negative stories about AstraZeneca, while there are very few negative stories about any of the others. I also note that AstraZeneca is producing its vaccine at cost, while every other vaccine organisation is seeking to make a profit. Big pharma lobbying discreetly, maybe?

[Jenny_F in reply to RobinBrum]

Also from a cynical perspective - I think, probably due to Brexit and I am not sure as a nation we have ever been popular with the rest of Europe pre-Brexit either, they are seeking to find fault in anything we do, sadly at the expense of lives while they dither. I have a relative in Naples who is desperate to be vaccinated as she has been in strict lockdown for most of a year now.

[Hannah52]

I agree with you I shared a post on my Facebook page dated March 2020. Where it said brexit means coronavirus vaccines will be slower to reach the UK. They will have to be in a queue with other non EU countries. I think they are doing everything they can to complain about the Astra Zeneca vaccine