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

June1952
Member
5 years ago
I agree @BlackWidow. As you know, my first AZ jab gave me a heart rate that night of 111 beats per minute so I am reluctant to go back for the 2nd shot.
As you question, does the covid respect these age rules
How do we go about making sure we are safe when our GP refuses to sign off on the Pfizer ?
Does anyone else agree with this uncertainty ?
BlackWidow
Member
5 years ago
Over 60 so got the AZ jab but now see a man in my age group got the blood clots - who makes these age limits ?????
Does COVID respect the ages the authorities are quoting ? Can I now have Pfizer as my 2nd jab ??????????
arpie
Member
5 years ago
My arm just felt sore from the next day (and is still a little tender just now ...) and I DID have the 'shivers & shakes' for about 5 mins later in the evening ..... I just suddenly felt extremely cold & had to put on my down jacket to regulate my body temperature (whilst almost sitting on top of the heater as well!). All good now tho.

It is just the right thing to do. Once the majority of the country is fully vaccinated, we'll be able to start breathing normally again!
Blossom1961
Member
5 years ago
I had the Pfizer yesterday. My 60th birthday is looming so I had a short window to make a decision on whether I would get the jab or not. As I have three friends who are immuno compromised, I went with the jab so that I could safely visit them in the future. My elbow ached on the side of the jab. Weird. Slight nausea. Light headed. Jab site hurts. A little tired. The second jab of Pfizer is worse than the first but I did okay with this first one. Second one scheduled 3rd August. I was sitting on the fence with the decision to have the jabor not, so I definitely understand everyones reasoning here one way or the other. Mine decision to go ahead was solely based on my immuno compromised friends.
Michelle_R
Member
5 years ago
Once again family have cancelled their plans to come north from Sydney. It's been over a year now - almost two. Like @Afraser, I had the covid jab with no ill effects whatsoever and have the second in 2 weeks time. My GP recommended having the flu shot first, then waiting 2 weeks before Astra Zeneca.
I agree with @arpie about the holidays! Hope you continue to have no side effects - frankly the flu jab made me more tired then the AZ!
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
Congratulations on getting your flu shot @arpie, it’s the only way. I had my second one last Tuesday and no side effects at all, a slightly sore arm and a bit lethargic for a day or so after the first one. Gladys B has demonstrated an admirable intention to be consistent in her approach (irrespective of whether you think it’s the right way or not) but I think many are relieved that a lockdown is now in place. Let’s hope it can be a short one.
arpie
Member
5 years ago
It is now a Bigger lockdown in NSW now - Greater Sydney (tho I reckon it should be ALL of Sydney) ..... including Central Coast & Wollongong too now and Blue Mountains ..... and sadly, it will get worse again, before it gets better. :(

They really should have tightened the rules up at least a week ago .... as it is now school holidays and tens of thousands of 'previously unaffected' people have spread around the state - and would have had to stay at home if they'd brought the new restrictions in last week before the hols started (which would have been the sensible thing to do, in my humble opinion!)

I had my flu shot 4 weeks ago & was recommended to wait 4 weeks before the covid shot - so I've just had my first covid shot this morning .... I didn't feel the needle, and there has been no side effects so far .... tho it is just feeling a little tender now, 8hrs later .....
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
Glad it cheered you up!
Being in lockdown in cold weather isn't the best combo!
Got to Bakers Delight around 10.30 and they were running low
Weird that shops staying open are being over run
Did you see the Mark Knight cartoon in the Herald Sun - what a cracker!
Take care
June1952
Member
5 years ago
LOVE IT @iserbrown
Our 2 inside cats would be the same - they are even better than the dog for alerting me to anything strange around.
I am pretty flat today with the lockdown and cold weather so that one made me laugh.
Yes, today there was no toilet paper, lettuce, green vegies, rice, UHT milk ......
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago

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COVID 19 jab

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