Vaccinations from next week

My husband and I have avoided busy places including supermarkets and public transport since the virus kicked off. This week we queued for an hour , first in a narrow airless corridor, and then on a staircase with NHS notices telling us to keep moving . There were some fire doors at one point but these of course were firmly shut. What were we queueing for ? An appointment to have The Vaccination . As well as people with appointments , hospital staff were allowed to ‘ drop in’ . Please understand , we felt privileged to be among the first to receive the jab, and I had no problem with being kept waiting,
but I did not feel safe in the environment, knowing that the ventilation was so poor . No one had even bothered to keep the entrance doors to reception open.

I totally understand people that have serious concerns about having the vaccine due to previous bad experiences with a vaccine or certain health problems. Which is why it is so important that everyone that doesn't have genuine grounds for concern should have it to protect others. It could be that having this vaccine will be my greatest contribution to the future of the human race (along with having two great children!). And that’s pretty cool. imo

Alegrias?

Its a very emotive subject and difficult to discuss, but it has to be done. We may not like what we will be told. ?

I agree with you 100% Marydoll

Alegrias, EV is a very smart lady and I'm sure she will do what's best for herself, so I think we should leave her to it.

I understand you are worried and have the best of intentions, but whether to have the vaccine or not is a very personal decision.

People like myself cannot consider having it, without first finding out as much as we can and discussing it with the clinicians who know us well.
Whatever information I read on GN, or what others say, will not have any impact on my decision in the end.

EV, Marydoll, you'll recall I'm sure that I was the first one on Gransnet to tell you EV that you should seek medical advice if you were at all worried about the vaccine, and this is of course still true.

I feel very strongly that as many people as are able should have the vaccine, and as we all know there are lots of people who have doubts. Lots of people are on Warfarin, me included. So when I see a statement that says "nobody seems sure about possible adverse effects concerning warfarin", I get worried. I know what happens with antibiotics and I haven't touched a cranberry for 8 years! So, I try to find out as much as I can, and when Public Health England are saying its fine, that is reassuring. I think its important to share such information when it concerns something so important.

Mr C booked in for 19th and he can’t wait!!

EllanVannin, I think you are being very sensible.
Correct me if I'm wrong, were you not a medical person in a past life? So you will be pretty savvy about these things.

I too am seeking medical advice first, as I have had multiple reactions to medication and treatments. Once I get the all clear, I will be pushing to the front of the queue. Nothing wrong with questioning things and finding out the pros and cons.

EllanVannin

I had two jabs against Asian 'flu in 1957 but I still got it with working on an infected ward and was hospitalised with pyelitis which left me with an iffy kidney and I've been taking medication for kidney failure for 13 years.

Although I'll get the vaccination eventually, I'm in no hurry because nobody seems sure about possible adverse effects concerning warfarin and spironolactone.

Regarding warfarin, on the contrary, lots of people are sure. From the British Heart Foundation website:

Is the vaccine safe for people taking blood thinners like warfarin or other anticoagulants?
Like most vaccines, the coronavirus vaccine is injected into the muscle of your upper arm. As with any injection, there is some risk of bleeding. Injections into your muscle may bleed a little more than injections that are given under the skin, but less than those that are given into a vein. If you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin, or a new anticoagulant, the bleeding may take a little longer to stop and you may get more bruising on your upper arm.

Public Health England and the Department of Health have said that you can have the vaccine if your anticoagulant treatment is stable. That generally means that you will have been taking the same dose for a while and that if you are on warfarin, that your INR checks are up to date and that your latest INR level was in the right range.

I can't help with spironolactone but I'm sure your GP or other medical person could provide the necessary information

Can’t even get my over 65s flu vaccine because I’ve been ill on and off and am never off antibiotics. Got to phone up again mid week for the next over 65s flu clinic.

I had two jabs against Asian 'flu in 1957 but I still got it with working on an infected ward and was hospitalised with pyelitis which left me with an iffy kidney and I've been taking medication for kidney failure for 13 years.

Although I'll get the vaccination eventually, I'm in no hurry because nobody seems sure about possible adverse effects concerning warfarin and spironolactone.

Well said Maybee - you have summed it up well!

Everything seems very clear to me. The vaccines will stop 90% of people from catching the virus. Those that do catch it will not get it so bad that they need to be hospitalised. No one is covered until a week or so after the second vaccine. Ongoing research will continue as to how long between the first and second vaccine is most efficacious. Ongoing research will go on to see how long immunity lasts for. Which is why hands face space ventilate will be necessary for a long time. I know I’m repeating what others have said. And I’ll also repeat that if anyone wants to have everything explained to them in lay mans language check out Dr John Campbells u tube blog.

From what I read people are becoming anxious about the logistics of the vaccine. Would it be unreasonable for each area to publish in local press, or on line, something similar to.

A. You will be advised by either a phone call or a letter
B. Unless there are unexpected cancellations, you will
Have x days notice before you are asked to attend and
will be told how to indicate if you are unable, or do not
want to attend.
C. You will be told where to attend, but if you have
problems with transport please contact yyyyyyyy
D. After the vaccination, you will be asked to stay for
zzzzz minutes to ensure your well-being

Doesn’t cover everything, but might allay the concerns of some people who are worrying. Hopefully the information could be passed on to anyone who didn’t have access to it.

Thank you for that, I must have missed the info.

This is from the NHS site.

How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine?
After having both doses of the vaccine most people will be protected against coronavirus.

It takes a few weeks after getting the 2nd dose for it to work.

There is a small chance you might still get coronavirus even if you have the vaccine.

This means it is important to:

continue to follow social distancing guidance
if you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it's hard to stay away from other people

Sorry just read up thread. It doesn’t stop you getting Covid. It doesn’t stop you spreading it. It does make any infection you get less severe.

Willow73. I was under the impression that the jab, even after the second one, doesn’t offer full immunity.
I wish I could remember what Hilary Jones said. Anybody out there have better recall about what the jab is supposed to do?

It has been made clear. There have been lots of news items about it and I'm positive that anyone receiving the vaccine will be made fully aware of this.

I heard on the news that the 1st jab is then followed by another 21-28 days later and then full immunity is a month later.
Anyone having the jab now has got to still be very careful until February time. No hugs yet then in hospitals and care homes, are they going to do visits even? Why has this not been made clear everyone seems to think they can go back to normal straight after the jab?

Can anyone tell me how my Dad (89) is likely to be contacted about the vaccination?
Letter? Phone call? Text?
We're reading in the paper that it's likely to be this week.

Amazon seem to have a profile of most people and yet very few people worry about signing up with them!

You're going to be implanted with a micro-chip, so at least you'll be able to find your way home if you don't have a satnav!

I'm not sure that's how it works. I think it's so that we can be tracked by the authorities if we go off to illegal raves etc.

I hope the Oxford vaccine is approved soon as we have ordered one hundred million doses.

Along with the easier storage and cheaper price, the arrival of that one should certainly speed things up.

A friend of mine, also a GN, is going for her first dose today. She was 80 this year.