Hi everyone just wondering what everyone is doing about get the COVID 19 jab? I’m booked in for my first dose but having second thoughts with the blood clotting that’s happening, I am over 60 so I’m ok to get it but unsure.

Statistics are just that...numbers. I'm not too sure where your figure of 99.98% survival rate originates, but according to the Johns Hopkins statistics, the mortality rate in the USA for people who've contracted covid is 3%. Not 3% of the entire general population, but 3% of people who have tested positive. I have three medical conditions (aside from the cancer) and also was treated for a brain aneurysm. Each of the three conditions have a roughly 40% mortality within ten years of diagnosis. The one affects 5 per 100.000 people, the second one 20 per million people, the third 4 per 100.000 people and the type of aneurysm I had affects 2.4% of all intracranial aneurysms which affect 4% of the population. The percentage of 2.4% of 4% is 0.00096%. Oh...and the breast cancer is 1 in 7 in Australia...used to be 1 in 8. I'm the lucky one who has struck the jackpot with all of these which probably explains why each time I've been admitted to hospital, I have a line of students wanting to do their "long case studies" with me. (It comes up on an internal computer). I've been swooped upon by quite a few of their professors too for teaching purposes. I don't mind, if they learn something that refutes the old chestnut in medical circles of "If you hear hoof beats...think horses, not zebras". The lecturers say to the young students...."Behold...a zebra". These highly qualified doctors have kept me alive well past what was expected, so I think I'll stick with their advice. Each person is responsible for their own decisions regarding their medical treatment and I respect that.

The thing is that people need to understand that blood clots form in a number of different ways and for differing reasons. In the same way, coughs are caused by different problems, and the treatment differs too. You don't treat an asthma cough with antibiotics, and you don't treat pneumonia with ventolin. I'm a bit more knowledgeable about blood clots as I have a condition called antiphospholipid antigen syndrome. This makes my blood "sticky". I've had two pulmonary embolisms and multiple DVTs in both an arm as well as in the legs. I take warfarin daily and have done for over twenty years and will do so for life. My INR (degree of blood thinness) is kept very high and I walk the tightrope of risk of severe bleeding on the one hand, and further blood clots on the other. My husband had a massive heart attack over ten years ago and takes Plavix and Cartia to prevent further clots. He can't take my meds, and I can't take his. The method of blood clot formation is different, as is the cascade of events at a cellular level that poses a risk to us both. The clotting problem with this vaccine is different from both what he and I are at risk for. I've had a good discussion with my rheumatologist, a professor at a major Sydney hospital regarding vaccination, and he has told me that, even for me, with such a track record for life threatening clots, I should still have it, because if I did get covid, that would probably be it for me. My husband spoke to his cardiac specialist as well, and was given the same advice.

Everyone has to make their own decision. While I'm grumpy about the AZ, a little because of the potential side effects but more because of it's efficacy compared to other vaccines, I will still get the shots. I have heard too much from people I know overseas to want to risk our community. I did sit on the fence for awhile but not because I thought that the stories of severe illness and death in the media were untrue - I know from friends and family that they are very true. More because I was waiting for the okay from my oncologist and to see the early effects of the rollout. It is becoming more and more likely that we will have a major outbreak here if the herd immunity is not there. So many countries that have done well, have fallen. I've gone through enough with BC and do not want to get ill, nor to be the weak link that passes something on to someone who cannot withstand it.

For those of us fortunate enough to be in Australia at this time, it seems that we are not being asked to do a great deal - in comparison to many places overseas. The last great flu epidemic claimed, as a conservative estimate, between 17 and 50 million lives worldwide. Given the population was much smaller then, the impact was immense. Many of us have flu shots, which are not without risks. Having had cancer, we know that the unexpected can happen. This coronavirus is called novella because it’s new (not a flu strain) and we don’t know yet what it can or may do. I am happy to have my shots (one already), and wear a mask when asked, to keep all of us as free as possible of the virus. This may be a longer road than we think.

I have chosen to be vaccinated having spoken with my family in UK and understanding the devastating effects it was having there. I am fortunate that it was offered through my work due to being in a support role in healthcare. I was expecting to receive the AZ vac as I am over 50 but ended up with the pfizer vac (i would have had either).1st dose - sore arm at point of entry for about 24 hours, 2nd dose a bit more of a reaction, about 15 hours in, woke up with headache and chills as well as painful arm and a bit of a fever. This lasted about 24 hours but went as quickly as it came with the aid of panadol and rest.I am now fully vaccinated as the wait was only 3 weeks between jabs, I feel that it has given me confidence should there be an outbreak here and benefits outweigh the small period of side effects I felt.Understand as per many posts above everyone needs to make their own decision, I am happy with mine and just wanted to share my experience on this post.

COVID 19 jab | BCNA Online Network

195 Replies

noosa_blue150
Member
4 years ago
I had my fourth shot four days ago (moderna) -previously had AZ x2 ( slight headache which went after a Panadol) and Pfizer x 1 . Have to admit woke the next day with very sore lump on arm and didn’t feel at all well (felt “fluey” , wasn’t covid as had to have a RAT later that day pre entry to a nursing home and it was negative ) BUT took it easy. Fine the next day .
Halla
Member
4 years ago
I had my fourth yesterday! Bit of a sore arm but nothing else to complain of 👏🏻👏🏻. Doctor said some people are getting a few side effects with their second Pfizer as fourth dose but not bad.
noosa_blue150
Member
4 years ago
Hi halla - I’m seeing my oncologist next week so I’ll be checking in re 4th shot/booster .I’ll,be lining up,ASAP once she gives me the go ahead
Keeping_positiv
Member
4 years ago
@Julez1958 sometimes there is a breakthrough and then we can still get the virus. However all in all, good to be as protected as we can be. Take care.
Julez1958
Member
4 years ago
Hi there
I have only just had my third shot ( Pfizer booster after 2 X AZ).
I had a sore arm that’s all.
On the topic of people catching Covid , my 27 year old niece woke up with symptoms the day after she was at my place for dinner and tested positive on a RAT then PCR test.
She was double vaxxed and has no idea how she caught it.
Myself, husband and her boyfriend never caught it.We were all double vaxxed at that point.
So the vaxx helped us avoid it but hers didn’t.
Halla
Member
4 years ago
Hieee, I had my 3rd shot back in October - Pfizer, after 2x Astra. Just a little bit of a sore arm. My first Astra knocked me out for 24 hours but the last 2 shots no problem.

I’m having my fourth on Tuesday. I will report. Has anyone else had their fourth yet? Being second Pfizer I wonder if there will be side effects.

Now in Melbourne we know dozens of people who have caught it, all from their teenage children. My step sons had it - the 17 year old gave it to his 20 yo brother. But their mother and her partner didn’t catch it from them even though they all live together.

The younger one had a cough and was tired for a few days. The older one was in bed for two weeks, but they are both recovered now.
cranky_granny
Member
4 years ago
My oncologist is sending my GP a letter to tell him I’m to have the 3rd and 4th shot at the appropriate timing. I’m to have it in my week off Ibrance hopefully he has it in by then next break is in the week 7th to 13th Feb If none in then It will be even longer wait. Hopefully he will put sone aside for me
Its great they keep telling us to get our boosters but its so hard when your restricted to certain dates
arpie
Member
4 years ago
The really scary thing is that people aren't doing the swab 'properly' even when they DO get the RATs! So there may well be many infectious people out there, spreading it further. Doing it too far up the nose is as bad as not doing it far enough up! :(
Dr Eric Levi shows you how!
https://www.trendsmap.com/twitter/tweet/1477057391212449793
Julez1958
Member
4 years ago
Yes and you can’t get a RAT for love or money - lots of people are just staying home but a lot of essential workers don’t have that option so I feel especially sorry for them .
arpie
Member
4 years ago
Hubby & I both had ours before Xmas ... both just had a sore arm - most places here are booked out, being rural ....

There are many cases in the Mid North Coast area now ... hearing of more & more locally as well :( They really dropped the ball after Gladys resigned - and we are paying for it now. :( We are doing our best to stay away from people, specially my hubby, who is on chemo.