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
Understand all that @Afraser, but the authorities keep saying to discuss with the GP and that is not necessarily satisfactory. If you went through what I did that night you would understand how I am feeling. Lucky you to have had no issues whatsoever.
I don't need lectures on it all as I do know of 2 people who have been in ICU for months with COVID, I am not stupid so know the statistics etc and do have a common-sense brain, hence getting the shot in the first place however I do not want a repeat performance of the bad reaction - especially given that I am carer of hubby who has dementia and (1) he was scared s....... and (2) I do not want to needlessly leave him alone if I am dragged off to hospital !
Sister
Member
5 years ago
I had the AZ exactly 1 month ago. I was very reluctant to have it, not because of the clotting issue but because of the lower efficacy. Anyway, decided that it was the right thing to do and that I wasn't going to be offered Pfizer anyway at 57 so went ahead. Of course, a week or so later, Pfizer was opened up to my age group. I felt very unwell for a couple of days - headachey, muscle aches and very tired. That did improve but I have to say that I have not felt particularly well ever since. Not bad enough to go think I've got clots but I fatigue has been shocking (and I already get tired enough), I've had so many headaches and achey legs. While this outbreak worries me greatly (good on ya, Glad), I am really not keen to get a second AZ jab. Elsewhere in the world, they are quite happy to give Pfizer as the second one after a first of AZ and supposedly, the efficacy is better than two AZ. I have a GPs appointment a few days before my second AZ so will see what he says. I don't hold out much hope but quite possibly going to cancel the AZ. Has anyone else had ongoing problems since having theirs?
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
To be fair, your GP as yet has limited information about any COVID vaccine with other complaints or long term. He/she however knows that these vaccines have had the same testing as any other vaccine used in Australia and have met all our standards. Mine never raised my arrhythmia as an issue but it is very stable and I haven’t had any racing heartbeat in a long time.
arpie
Member
5 years ago
To be honest, I think everyone has the 'chance' of a bad reaction (and whilst sad for family members - the 2 that have passed away from clots issues - is very sad - but I understand they already had a clotting issue ) .... but if you aren't vaccinated & DO catch the virus ...... the chances of dying from it (be it clots or whatever) are VERY MUCH higher than if you aren't vaccinated.

We won't be able to 'open up as a country' even to our own states (let alone overseas travel!) at our current rate of vaccination - as our current rate of vaccination will take YEARS! The Gov was really SLACK in saying 'there was no hurry' - when they should have encouraged it ..... The USA and UK are now 80% vaccinated & are heading into Summer, with open air concerts with thousands of people attending, unmasked.

WE, on the other hand, are heading into Winter & scared shitless! :( It didn't have to be this way.

We've missed the boat a bit, thru mis-information & dumb statements from anti-vaxxers & lack of both Pfizer AND AZ orders by our Gov (NZ is in the same boat too! Those over 70 over there won't be vaccinated til July or Aug .... and they should have been the FIRST!) :neutral:

Being vaccinated is the RIGHT THING TO DO - and the sooner we all do it, the better.

Take care, stay well xx
June1952
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Afraser. I have AF as well and can always count my own heartbeats. About 16 hours after the 1st jab I was woken by my chest pounding. I tried to do relaxion breathing to no avail. Glanced at the Fitbit which I had forgotten all about (!) and then went and used the blood pressure machine which confirmed the figure. It was scary and I don't want a repeat performance ! The GP is fence-sitting and won't make a decision as to what I should do now ......
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
It may not be relevant as possibly entirely different condition but I have an arrhythmia (AF) and didn’t have as much as a flutter from either vaccination. But I can understand the concern.
June1952
Member
5 years ago
My injection site was no issue at all. The fast heart rate is a concern. GP is fence-sitting. OK if an ambulance is quick !
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
AZ! All good, didn't even need a bandaid as I didn't bleed

I have a little sister, under 50, and her Oncologist suggested she have, which she did, AZ, no problem! Her Onc suggested panadol and nurofen for the first day, all good! Short straw for her is Cervical cancer
June1952
Member
5 years ago
@iserbrown - did you get the Pfizer or AZ ?
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
No I don't agree with the uncertainty!
We are all individual in reaction to whatever treatment or vaccine. If someone my age develops a blood clot it doesn't necessarily follow that I will.
I hope your concerns and anxieties can be addressed by your own medical team and or GP

Take care

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COVID 19 jab

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