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

Julez1958
Member
4 years ago
Hi there
i had my booster shot yesterday , it was Pfizer and I had AZ for the first two shots.
So far the arm I got the shot in is very sore but that is it.
For those in Sydney you can get straight in with an online booking at the Sydney Olympic Park hub, I couldn’t get an appointment with my GP for the shot until February and with so many people I know catching it I wanted to be protected. The operation there was very efficient and it was an experienced nurse who gave me my shot.
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
@June1952
Thank you, she had one lousy day but is much improved, partner and six year old have had symptoms too, four year old seems to be fine!! All isolating. But she’d like to know for sure!
June1952
Member
4 years ago
As soon as we heard they'd changed the rule to 5 months instead of 6 I booked online at the same pharmacy for an appointment after our 5 months. Then they announced the 4 months (!!!) so I had a look and the wait was several weeks. Goodness knows how long for people now.
No RAT tests around here at all and the nursing home (re B-I-L) are waiting a long time for resident results due to staff being identified as having it.
Is your daughter very unwell ?
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
At least we’ve got ours. My daughter had to shop around to get a date reasonably soon, but now may miss out as she may have COVID. Five days now and no test result (PCR, no RATs to be found for love or money). Just hoping the test is not out of date and she has to go through it all again, with isolation starting again!
June1952
Member
4 years ago
Good news @Afraser. Oh @Cath62 you did have a bad time of it. My headache could also be the hot weather suddenly thrust upon us by the weather gods - 31 expected today. Oh well, at least my washing will dry. 😀 Hubby had no effects at all, from any of the shots. At least we are all as protected as can be. The nurse said to relax the shoulder and neither of us really felt it go in. I wonder when we will have to front up for the 4th time ....
Cath62
Member
4 years ago
Had my booster Pfizer shot in late November and was sick with fever aches and pains plus a headache for 2 days. My husband had his Pfizer booster yesterday and had had no reaction at all. We both had AZ for shots 1 and 2. Just goes to show we are definitely all different just like out bc is all different too.
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
Moderna booster two months ago resulted in a slightly sore arm for a day. Nothing else.
June1952
Member
4 years ago
**** UPDATE ****

We had our booster shots yesterday morning and after having the first 2 of Astra Zeneca we were given Pfizer. I can hardly feel any soreness in my arm but have had a slight headache. I slept well, no heart issues, and even slept on the injection side.
How are others getting on ?
iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/adelaide/programs/breakfast/wiggles-covid/13507090

Did you see this article this morning? It's in our mainstream newspapers and just a great outcome
StrongCoffee
Member
5 years ago
I know. Thankfully I had my 2nd appt booked in before the new 6 week guideline came in. Since this appointment was a cancellation, 1 week earlier than my original appt, I'll still have a 4 week gap. But better than 6.

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COVID 19 jab

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