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

Deanne
Member
5 years ago
Fingers crossed that this lockdown is only a brief one. My husband and I had the AZ vaccine this week. Side effects were mild and only lasted 24 hours or so. I cannot see another way out of this, other than vaccination. Thinking of those in lockdown this time and hoping it works quickly. Take care. xxx
arpie
Member
5 years ago
oh dear ... Let's hope the early lockdown etc puts a lid on it .... and that everyone follows the advice given!

Take care everyone, everywhere!
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
It's a worry for sure!
It will be interesting to see figures this morning
Newspaper is reporting in excess of 120 exposure sites, that will equate to a lot of people!
Testing clinics swamped, in excess of 2 hour wait as they open
Mass exodus of cars and caravans trying to beat time limits interstate. Moama is very busy!
Elective surgeries cancelled
Goodness and yes toilet paper limits are back.......
Luckily we are experienced at this!
Sister
Member
5 years ago
I really feel for you Vics - you've had the worst of it. The main testing facility in Adelaide has been mostly empty for weeks - I saw the speed limit signs going up on Wednesday afternoon so they must have known what was about to happen with returning footy fans. Apparently by Wednesday evening the cars were lined up down the road and way past the Britannia Roundabout.
Keeping_positiv
Member
5 years ago
@June1952 you are a good friend! I live on my own and it was so isolating last year when we (Melbourne) went into lockdown for what seemed like forever.
Keeping_positiv
Member
5 years ago
@Glynnis that is great you will be getting the Pfizer one. Can I ask what is the precursor to being eligible to getting the pfizer vaccine. I have to speak to my specialists as I have pre-existing medical conditions and hoping I can get a letter to get the pfizer vaccine that is mainly set outside for the younger ones.

A relative of mine lined up for one and half hours late yesterday as was in a spot that had identified a positive case. She was told 5 minutes before 8.00pm (closing time) that sorry she wouldn't be getting tested and come back tomorrow. Thankfully she is like me and dug her heals in and was tested. She stood in line in the freezing cold in Collingwood in Melbourne just waiting to get tested. I definitely would not be able to stand for that long, let alone in the freezing cold.
June1952
Member
5 years ago
"Stay safe" to everyone in Victoria.
I feel for those who live alone and cannot even go out and meet someone for coffee. My phone will be busy calling to check on lone friends.
The cold weather does not help as we cannot even spend time in the garden.
Look after each other.
Glynnis
Member
5 years ago
Evening all, I still haven’t had my jab yet, spoke to me oncologist last week and they are sorting the Pfizer one out for me so waiting till I hear from them before I go any further. Yes we are going back into lockdown from midnight tonight, stay safe everyone in Melbourne. 😃
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
I profoundly hope this outbreak will be contained soon but 40,000 tests in the last 24 hours shows what fear can do. Now that vaccines are available to those over 40, let’s hope we see some big figures there too and few side effects.
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
"Covid Victoria lockdown restrictions: new Melbourne and regional Vic coronavirus rules explained | Victoria | The Guardian" https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/27/covid-restrictions-victoria-new-greater-melbourne-and-vic-coronavirus-rules-explained

We've been through this prior, this is No.4, heart goes out to those living alone.
@BlackWidow you sound organised which certainly is a good place to be

I headed into the street today to primarily go to the Optometrist and collect our mail. Place has gone mad, struggling to get a carpark. Observing lots of toilet roll purchases and Bakers Delight close to sold out at 1.30pm

Not quite as bad as last year when we were invaded by bus loads of strangers buying up everything. We couldn't buy milk, meat, bread, loo paper......locals left with very little

Forum Discussion

COVID 19 jab

195 Replies

Recent Discussions

Share Your Voice: Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness

📱 Help Shape a Support Program for People Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer

New kisqali packaging

💛 Help Shape a New Text Message Support Program for People Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Complete Metabolic Response De Novo TNBC