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

arpie
Member
5 years ago
SO glad you didn’t get those high heart beats again @June1952 .... that ‘cold’ thing was weird, wasn’t it? Tho did get some shakes too - about 5 mins. I got that on the first jab - but I guess it shows our body is actively working on the immunity ...

I cant see NSW going from over 200 cases a day to zero before the end of the month .... :(

Our Regional Pfizer jabs are being sent to Sydney, to inject the Higher School Cert students .... lots of very unhappy regional people!
June1952
Member
5 years ago
Here I am reporting in after my 2nd AZ jab ........
I had a mild headache not requiring Panadol. I woke in the night feeling very cold for a few hours but no shakes. I did not have a repeat of any frightening heart issues although my heart rate is up a bit.
Now we just hope for no clots, eh ?
June1952
Member
5 years ago
Went in for my 2nd AZ jab today.
The waiting room was mainly older people but the nurse told me that younger people are now thinking it is a good idea to get jabbed and they are even getting some previously anti vaxxers in as they are seeing how quickly the covid is moving and how many younger people are getting sick enough to require ventilating.
Will report tomorrow on whether this 2nd jab gives me the same reaction as the 1st one 😀
June1952
Member
5 years ago
Hi @StrongCoffee - I could not get in to see my regular doctor but saw another one at the same clinic. I explained my reaction to the first AZ shot and she said it is not usual for people to react as badly after the second jab. The heart rate of 111 did not scare her at all but said if it was over 150 to call an ambulance. So, I go again on Monday but will double-check with the doctor at the vaccination centre before proceeding. Will let you know how I go.

Hope all are going OK, especially members who live in the scary parts of NSW right now. Hope you have been able to get vaccinated and feel somewhat safer.
jennyss
Member
5 years ago
I had my second AZ jab yesterday. No side effects so far. I'm pleased to be 'fully vaccinated', as I travel regularly to visit my 93 yr old father, who has recently had his second AZ jab. Best wishes to all network members.
arpie
Member
5 years ago
And Fingers crossed we STAY not exposed ..... I wouldn't be living in (or visiting) Sydney for QUIDS! There's only been a couple of Pfizer 'handouts' down our way - about 50k away ..... and they were opened up to anyone, as they had to be used due to the temperature thing! So some lucky people who were nearby were able to get them of any age. Only AZ available in my town so far, I think.
gumnut
Member
5 years ago
Will do @arpie :)
I was very happy when they opened up the pfizer to the under 60s as I wasn't too keen on the AZ alternative. Just happy with some protection. I'm lucky to live in regional NSW, so not exposed to the virus concerns that those in the capital cities are at this point in time.
arpie
Member
5 years ago
Watch out for the 2nd pfizer jab, @gumnut - some have had the worst reaction on the 2nd one.

Hubby has done well with the jab - he didn't even get the chills!! (I did!). Tho will keep an eye on him for a week or so ....
gumnut
Member
5 years ago
Hello
I got pfizer #1 jab a week ago, no side effects except sore arm 24 hrs later
Appreciate that it’s a personal choice
Grateful 🙏 to have some protection :)
Keeping_positiv
Member
5 years ago
@Glynnis ditto ........... in Melbourne also.

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COVID 19 jab

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