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 | Online Network

Afraser
Member
4 years ago
I had mine two weeks ago - I am over 60 too. Very little in the way of side effects - I did feel tired and a bit achey the next day but almost normal the day after. We have had only two cases of clotting in over 700,000 vaccinations, both people in their 40s (and no info on any other factors). Given the delays with Pfizer and Novovax still to get final approval, it seems sensible for older people to get the AstraZeneca and leave the Pfizer shots for younger people in the 1a category.
jennyss
Member
4 years ago
Dear @Glynnis, I have had my flu vaccine, and am now waiting for my GP practice to get the AstraZeneca vaccine in. I believe I am eligible for a category 1B shot because of my BC history. Government communication about the Covid 19 vaccines has been very bad I think. I agree with @Afraser's comments about the risks. Best wishes from jennyss
Glynnis
Member
4 years ago
@Afraser and @jennyss Thankyou ladies great to you’ve had yours @Afraser with little to no side effects @jennyss haven’t had flu jab yet spoke to my oncologist he said get first COVID-19 jab then 6 weeks later get flu jab then 6 weeks later get second COVID-19 jab so have book 1st jab for 27/4 will see how we go
noosa_blue150
Member
4 years ago
I’m 62, I had my first AZ 3 weeks ago. Felt far better afterwards , than usual,reaction post normal,flu shot to,be honest ( that does differ from person to person of course )
I figure risk of getting covid far outweigh any blood,clotting risk for me .
I would,have been straight back to,GP if I noticed any oddities
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
My GP is happy to have my flu shot a minimum of two weeks after the first COVID jab, I’ve never had any reactions to flu shots, so I’ve made an appointment for about four weeks and then my second COVID later on. So much protection!
kamada
Member
4 years ago
@Afraser same with my doctor. I had my pneumococcal vaccination as it was due then two weeks later the flu vaccination (no side effects as usual) and have COVID-19 one booked for two and a half weeks after that. Just hoping they will have a supply by that time. So good to hear of your lack of side effects @noosa_blue150 🙂. It gives me hope that I can get away with none as well! @Glynnis I agree with the other ladies that the risk in having AZ is so minute that I wouldn’t hesitate to have it to give myself a better chance if I am exposed to this bloody awful virus. 😘
Cath62
Member
4 years ago
I had my covid jab on Tuesday. I had AZ. I was really tired a few hrs post the injection and also the next day. Bit sore at the injection site. I had a medical person say to me that a small reaction is really ok because it shows that your immune system is working. My next shot for covid is in 12 wks.
jintie
Member
4 years ago
I’m 43. Had my COVID jab on the 27th March (had the AZ). Very little side effects.
Glynnis
Member
4 years ago
Thanks everyone for your replies, im so happy that you all did not get any reactions except for normal stuff, as I only have about 1% immunity I’m a little worried about getting it done so at this stage I have cancelled my appointment and will remake it for May, then maybe a little bit more info might be around as well re the clotting factor.
sooziqu
Member
4 years ago
As of 23rd April we had 6 cases of blood clots due to the AZ vaccine, the newest case in a person over 50. We also had one police officer with blood clots from the Pfizer vaccine. My concern is not because of BC but rather that Tamoxifen already has blood clots as a side effect, so the vaccine increases that already present risk.

I'm seeing my GP next Thursday and I need a letter from her to get the Pfizer vaccine. I'm going to see what he thoughts are on the risk. I don't think they can be taken lightly.