Dilemma, have the COVID jab this weekend or prioritise a work commitment. WWYD?

[Anothername45]

So, thank you for reading on. I would appreciate your views to help me sort out my priorities and answer my dilemma.

I'm a school leader, working to lead a school other than my own. I am expecting OFSTED to call on Monday, to inspect the school Tuesday.

The school has required significant support which I am providing.

I have my jab booked for Sunday.

My partner is CEV.

My worry is if I suffer side effects from the jab, this could affect my ability to lead the school through the inspection. Inspections are stressful enough when feeling 100%, never mind when not.
It would also leave me with a real sense of letting the school and colleagues down.

What would you do, delay the jab or take the risk on having side effects which could affect the inspection?
(No anti vac comments please, this is about my commitment to a school by having the jab delayed, I will be having the jab).

[Santastealer]

As an ex SLT member I know the pressure Ofsted brings. I had a breakdown in the middle of an inspection, collapsed during an interview and the inspectors expected me to carry on for the rest of the day! I quit SLT after that and went back to classroom teaching for my own mental health and sanity.

I would still say take the jab. Turn up for your appointment early and they will still see you. There should be enough time between Sunday morning and Tuesday when they would arrive that you can be over the worse, if you even get the side effects. Probably says you will be fine.

[halcyondays]

I wouldn’t even have considered delaying the jab.

[MrMucker]

I'd delay the jab.
All places offering have the facility to rearrange. They have to. what happens if on the day, say, you need to isolate. So in that case, you'd need to rearrange.
The new appointment would probably be a week later.

I don't understand the issue. Surely you can do both? Getting the jab may be the responsible thing to do as others insist, but it is no less responsible to defer it for a more convenient time.
Weve already waited long enough, months, for the vaccine, so how can another week or two make a difference?
The inspection however-no, you cannot defer it.

[rookiemere]

@MrMucker but there are now delays in vaccine deliveries. Government has promised that everyone in top categories will be offered their first jab, they haven't said that if you turn down the initial appointment there will definitely be enough to do it before mid April.

I guess it's worth a call to the vaccine helpline to see if it's possible though.

[rainbowrainfall]

Take your jab!
You and your family come before a job always! You commitment to your school is wonderful, but your husband is your priority!

I'm SLT, in an inadequate school brought in to turn it around so I get it! I had my vaccine on a Sunday a few weeks back I struggled on the Monday but I think if ofsted had knocked the door then I'd of pulled myself together and got on. The panic/stress/Adrenalin will take over. Don't put off something so important on a maybe. Because what if they don't show up, they don't always stick to the timescales.

[Potterythrowdown]

Hmmm, after having been really quite ill for a couple of days after mine, I'm not sure that I would have it prior to having something very important on at work, especially if there was no one that could really cover for me.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

Get the jab. Most people have no or minimal side effects. CEV husband is more important than work.

[Iliketeaagain]

After you get your vaccination, plan to have regular paracetamol for 24-48 hrs. Hopefully that will stop any temperature side effects (which is often what makes you feel rough as a fair few people get a mild fever as a side effect).

I'm glad your going to get it.

[HildegardNightingale]

Get the vaccine. Life is more important than a job.

[narkyspirit]

go and get the jab, if you suffer some minor side effects let someone else deal with work.....

[SimplyMarvellousDarrrrrrling]

This is all that is wrong within education. OFSTED are supposed to see the school as it normally functions, otherwise what's the point?
Your job does not come before your health so its good to hear you have decided to prioritise your vaccine
The school will still be there when you are long gone

[Newkitchen123]

Jab

[Unicornflakegirl]

I personally would delay the jab for a huge work commitment but that would be my choice due to wanting to perform well, so pressure from me/my personality type rather than pressure from the job.
I don't necessarily think I'm right but I know it's what I would do.

[Spied]

Jab. Definitely.
If the school falls apart if you are poorly then really it doesn't deserve a good Ofstead report in all honesty.

[Confusedandshaken]

Get the vaccine. If the school is in good shape you (possibly) being a little under the weather won't change it. If the school is not in good shape you being on top form won't improve it.

[babbaloushka]

Jab first, especially for your partner. Why take the risk.

[Splicedbananas]

Have the jab. Thinking as a parent I'd far rather you didn't get Covid and risk a long term illness over being bright for a couple of days for Ofsted. Also as a human being I'd rather you put your health first and that of your husband.

[ArosAdraDrosDolig]

I had the jab this week with zero side effects but a friend was very ill after hers.

I would have it though. You don’t know when it will be offered again and there are rumours of vaccine supply being a problem.

My parents are both cev. One was called for the jab and had it. The other became ill the following week (not covid), was unable to be vaccinated, caught covid and died. If he’d had it a week earlier....

[BruceAndNosh]

I originally read your op as the inspection being Monday so you might have a poor night's sleep Sunday which might impact your efficiency, but if the inspection is Tuesday, I'd have the jab.

[Londontown12]

Health is more important than inspection if You don’t have vaccine and then u go onto catch covid u will regret it xx

[Sweak]

I actually think it's important for SLT to model that you can be a dedicated member of staff whilst not giving every last ounce of yourself to the job. This is why teachers don't last. It's important to show staff health comes first

I know Ofsted is absolutely awful, but you will already have done a great deal to prepare and the entire inspection will not fall apart if you are completely 100%

[thecatsthecats]

Your profession has really done a number on you if you think that an inspection is more important than a pandemic.

[Jocasta2018]

Go for the jab.
If I hadn't watched the needle go in & the nurse push the plunger I wouldn't know I'd had it.
We are all different so you might not react the same but if there are supply issues coming up then it's better to get the first jab now.

[Sweak]

*are not completely 100 percent

[Lumene]

Get the jab. Chances are you won’t even have side effects of any significance anyway.