US agencies call for pause in Johnson & Johnson vaccine

[Carys]

I agree with you wholeheartedly Carys, but will those who revel in all the drama take any notice though?

Nope ......but.......it could give a little insight about how to challenge and change their views ?

[Pamplemousse]

The Guardian currently has a couple of articles, one called 'closing the gap on risk perception and reality' and the other 'how big are the blood clot risks of the AZ vaccine'. Both worth looking up to counteract the media fear frenzy.

A few Guardian articles here, including the ones alluded to: I know people who won't read them because "it's in a lefty rag" . But for those who aren't blinkered right-wing headbangers who believe in alternative facts or just want to see what others are saying:

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...reality-az-jab

https://www.theguardian.com/theobser...-of-the-az-jab

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...w-is-it-caused

I'm off to read them myself now, but here's a salient point:

It is challenging to think of such low risks: when we have to count the zeros, all intuition goes. So what else has roughly a one in 100,000 chance for a young adult? We could choose from the risk of dying when under general anaesthesia, or in a skydiving jump, or, on the positive side, winning the Lotto jackpot if you bought 450 tickets, or guessing the last five digits of someone’s mobile phone number.
Perhaps more pertinently, it’s roughly the risk of a young woman on the contraceptive pill having some form of blood clot in one week.

[Fishmanpa]

While I understand the caution to a degree, regardless if the vaccine is responsible for the reaction, the chances are ridiculously low. In the US, there have been over 32 million infections and 576K deaths. This J&J vaccine has been administered over 6.8 million times and we're talking about 6 cases of clotting.

The wife and I had the 1st Pfizer shot and our 2nd shot is on the 22nd. We had around 48 hours of side effects but are fine. I expect the same for the 2nd shot. If we were offered the J&J shot, even with this nearly non-existent side effect, I'd risk it as I'm a prime candidate for being a fatality with my pre-existing conditions as is my wife. I'd much rather be hospitalized with a clot than die on a ventilator! Look... my daughter and SIL caught it as did my nephew for goodness sakes! They're feeling pretty damn rough but doing Ok. But then they're young too.

Frankly, I think it's fear mongering and just another thing to politicize. They'll figure it out and hopefully by the summer, those who want the vaccine will have gotten it. But then there's all the anti vax/conspiracy folks that will grab this by the horns and make life miserable for the rest of us to contend with but that's an entirely different subject.

You know it's interesting. Back in the 50's people lined up for the polio vaccine. We effectively eradicated it due to a massive vaccination effort. Now, here we are, 70 years later, people walk around with electronic brains in their pockets, we've landed on Mars yet people believe in absolute nonsense! While we may be evolving technologically, it seems the brain is going backwards!

FMP

In the mean time, wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands get the vaccine.

[MyNameIsTerry]

A few Guardian articles here, including the ones alluded to: I know people who won't read them because "it's in a lefty rag" . But for those who aren't blinkered right-wing headbangers who believe in alternative facts or just want to see what others are saying:

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...reality-az-jab

https://www.theguardian.com/theobser...-of-the-az-jab

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...w-is-it-caused

I'm off to read them myself now, but here's a salient point:

Left wingers say the same. Both ends of the spectrum dismiss the other as loons. I prefer to read across.

The NHS booking site crashed so uptake in my group must be good. The test might be later with the under 30s?

[Pamplemousse]

How come everyone seems to be able to book a second jab and I can't?

12 weeks for me is the 18th of May; hopefully I'll have my car back by then, else it's a nine mile bus ride and at least a mile walk each way (not that the latter would do me any harm...).

[MyNameIsTerry]

How come everyone seems to be able to book a second jab and I can't?

12 weeks for me is the 18th of May; hopefully I'll have my car back by then, else it's a nine mile bus ride and at least a mile walk each way (not that the latter would do me any harm...).

We can't get them via our GP, PM. We've tried twice over the last week or so to be told they are awaiting supplies. My dad's date is 2 days off for the end or the 12 week period.

It does say in NHS papers that 2nd jabs should be between 11 & 12th weeks and any booked early will be rearranged but I think it was a local trust guidance so may not reflect elsewhere.

[Carys]

Thanks Pamplemousse, I did try to add them, but then when I clicked on the links from NMP it took me to a paywall.

[Fishmanpa]

How come everyone seems to be able to book a second jab and I can't?

12 weeks for me is the 18th of May; hopefully I'll have my car back by then, else it's a nine mile bus ride and at least a mile walk each way (not that the latter would do me any harm...).

It's funny, here, where I'm at in the USA, the system is good and not at the same time. We applied, took 5 weeks but we got our 1st jab. Got the email within a day for the 2nd jab, booked it and we've gotten a half a dozen more emails since then for the 1st jab in the mean time! I know they're trying and working on it but c'mon

FMP

[Lencoboy]

So it looks like the J & J has now overtaken the OAZ as the 'bogeyman' vaccine, at least in terms of media attention.

[glassgirlw]

I think it’s also important to look at this in the greater context. There have been 6 cases out of almost 7 million doses given in the US. Many OTC and prescription medications have far greater risk of blood clots than what we’re seeing here, and your risk of blood clots should you actually contract Covid is also far greater. I do feel it’s important to investigate all potential serious side effects, but I don’t think panicking about this is really necessary, yet. Just my opinion though!