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

BlackWidow
Member
5 years ago
Such a distressing day for us Victorians. Whilst I have only had my first jab I am hopeful that if I come into contact with the virus I may be at least partly protected against very serious illness. I am grateful that I have enough food in the freezer and pantry to get me through for a while. I am glad I did some bigger pots when cooking so I could freeze some. Now I stay home alone and hope for the best. All the best to all.
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
Here we are again, Lockdown in Victoria!
Media conference message is encouraging people to make appointments for vaccination.
It's a concern!
Keeping_positiv
Member
5 years ago
@Romla thank you for putting that link up, it is food for thought.
Keeping_positiv
Member
5 years ago
The likely ones that are passing the covid virus on are the ones that are under 50, but yet they are not yet offered the vaccine! I am about 5 kilometres from one hotspot in Melbourne. I didn't go to a physio appointment today, I think it was a wise decision I made.

@FlClover thank you, and you are welcome, you do what is best for you. Take care.
Romla
Member
5 years ago
Ops the above is for anyone interested
Romla
Member
5 years ago
Watching Four Corners Series 2021 Vaccinating Australia in iview
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/four-corners/series/2021/video/NC2103H016S00
Romla
Member
5 years ago
Four Corners on ABC last night had a program on vaccination and can be caught up with on abc iview.The words at the end by specialists working in a covid ward in Melbourne in particular are worth a listen.I had mixed feelings about having my first AZ jab 2 weeks ago - I now believe it was the right decision.Covid is coming - it’s not if but when.
FLClover
Member
5 years ago
@Keeping_positive1 thank you for your understanding and support 💜. Even though you want to take the jab yourself, you respect my decision not to, and do not direct blame at people like myself for the current and future covid situation.
Anybody wanting to take it, and wanting to discuss its possible effects and interaction with breast cancer medication also being taken, is perfectly fine and understandable. People talking about the political side of it, and how there are so many people opposing the vaccine, and how this is the reason it will never go away, is not ok. We could be here all week giving each valid points as to why the other side is wrong. Except that this is a breast cancer forum. Anything that doesn’t involve bc and its spread, treatment, prevention, psychological and emotional impact on people etc doesn’t really have a place here. This has been my point all along.
May you all have good health 💟
arpie
Member
5 years ago
I had my flu jab yesterday as we need it to enter Nursing Homes as a volunteer .... and have booked my Covid jab for 4 weeks (nurse suggested longer than the recommended 2 weeks.). Then I am going to have the pneumonia jab too!
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
The new cluster is a salutary reminder that it’s not all over. I live near Highpoint and will be skipping my gym class today. Happily, this coincides with a blitz on mask wearing in public transport, which has slipped badly in Melbourne.

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