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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to drive myself to covid vaccine appointment?

98 replies

MarySanderson · 21/03/2021 23:55

It's booked for Friday and is just over an hour away.

YABU - you should get a lift in case of illness (with DH)
YANBU - just get in the car and drive

I have had big allergies in the past although never to anything medical (apart from latex but that doesn't really feature). Will take routine antihistamine as normal and always carry eye drops and epipens.

OP posts:

MoiraNotRuby · 22/03/2021 06:58

Most people are advised to wait 15 minutes, for people with particular allergies you can be advised to wait 30 minutes. I think it would be very sensible for your husband to go with you.

Inthefuture · 22/03/2021 06:58

I have a family member with severe allergies including latex and they were fine.

When I had mine (AstraZeneca) I was told to wait for five minutes in the car before driving off.

Shrivelled · 22/03/2021 07:09

Are you considered high risk for a reaction though? I thought if you’ve been booked into a vaccine centre (rather than a local GP practice) you’re considered low risk but I may be wrong.

Gubanc · 22/03/2021 07:09

I wouldn't ask my husband to waste 2 hours of his life on a trip for me. If you have the Pfizer they'll ask you to stay on site for 15 minutes, after AZ you'll be advised not to drive for 15. Side effect take a few hours to kick in - if you have any.
I had a sore arm and a slight headache and went just went to work as normal on the next day.

FlyingBurrito · 22/03/2021 07:10

@Oblomov21

I drove myself. This whole not driving yourself thing is ridiculous. They make everyone sit for 15 minutes anyway.

They really don't, it depends where you go. I had to but on speaking to friends and families not all places are doing it and it's not to do with which one you get as everyone I know but one has has AZ

No one can tell you in advance if you'll be fine to OP unfortunately.

GnomeDePlume · 22/03/2021 07:19

DH drove me, I have had reactions to injections before and take blood thinners. I will return the favour tomorrow as he gets a bit wobbly in medical settings.

Happy to do it as, you know, we quite like each other.

itsgettingwierd · 22/03/2021 07:23

I drove.

But then I DJ t have allergies and it was only 20 minutes away.

Also had pfiezer and had to wait 15 minutes.

In your situation I think I'd want someone with me too.

Cherryup · 22/03/2021 07:24

I drove myself, 30 minutes away. Had a reaction and ended up stuck there for hours. So wish I had accepted DH's offer to take me.

CuthbertDibbleandGrubb · 22/03/2021 07:49

I'd be inclined to have your DH come with you just for the change of scenery and journey, even if you drove and he was only there just in case he needed to drive you home.

Itsalonghaul · 22/03/2021 07:55

I wouldn't worry about driving there or back, it was completely fine for hours afterwards, did the housework as normal. But the side effects (for me, not for everyone) did kick in during the night, and I couldn't say I would be able to drive easily the following morning. So you may want to consider the following day more carefully, just in case you are one of the lucky ones with side effects. That said, I am not really ill - just fever and feeling like I am coming down with something rather than anything else.

I am truly so happy to feel this way, as now I can be sure it worked!!!! :)

GnomeDePlume · 22/03/2021 08:03

My reaction the the vaccine was 36 hours of fairly bad diarrhoea starting a few hours after the jab. Was very glad to be near a bathroom for that time.

Just putting that out there in case anyone is planning to go an a long drive or walk the day after the vaccine.

Roystonv · 22/03/2021 08:05

As it seems your Dh can take you, in your circumstances, I would enjoy the outing. There have been those who have been affected driving home and you are a long way away if something does go wrong. You do react to certain things then don't risk it this time. It is just being sensible and has nothing to do with being precious

Original poster

MarySanderson · 22/03/2021 08:08

Thank you to almost all of you for your input - I'll let DH know that his offer to drive me there is 'infantilising', 'pathetic' and 'ridiculous' .

Getting a lift there isn't something that had crossed my mind until someone suggested it to us. DH said he can take the 3 hours off to drive me there and back, but it seems the vast majority of posters agree with me and that there's no need.

If I do react and get stuck there it makes more practical sense for him to be home. I know from previous anaphylactic episodes, the reaction tends to come on relatively slowly and I am very aware of the symptoms. I'm packing my kindle and buying a large coffee just before I get there - should be perfect temperature by the time I'm out.

How life has changed that I'm looking forward to going somewhere 'new' to sit in a sunny car park. I've put earrings and a necklace on, and a bit of perfume - go me!!

OP posts:

Aprilx · 22/03/2021 08:13

I think most people go by themselves, you have no history of extreme reactions so I am bemused as to why you think this would be any different. I honestly haven’t heard of anyone having an extreme reaction, side effects are quite common but these appear something like twelve hours later.

Lipz · 22/03/2021 08:18

If you have Allergies you are meant to tell them. They can decide then. My fil had his on Friday, he's allergic to latex and he told them, while the stoppers in the syringes have been confirmed to not have latex in then the GP giving the injection had to change to latex free gloves.

Baabaagreensheep · 22/03/2021 08:23

I was excited to drive into our city to get mine too, it's a 30 minute trip. First time I'd seen it in a year and it was so nice just to drive through it.

I didn't even consider that I wouldn't be able to drive myself home. Just waited the 15 mins then jumped back in the car. No issues luckily.

Bamaluz · 22/03/2021 08:31

I felt ill on the way home from my vaccination, DH is going to drive me for my second.
I wouldn't risk an hour's drive, I felt dreadful sooner than that. You just don't know how you will be affected, everybody is different.

LavenderLollies · 22/03/2021 08:34

It honestly didn’t even cross my mind to get a lift! Everyone I know has driven themselves. If you have a reaction you’ll have help there and someone can retrieve the car. But chances are any reaction will come hours later when you’re back home.

Uronmute · 22/03/2021 08:35

Had mine 45 minutes drive away and just waited 15 mins after, with no problem. I would just drive

Alsohuman · 22/03/2021 08:37

@Oblomov21

I drove myself. This whole not driving yourself thing is ridiculous. They make everyone sit for 15 minutes anyway.

They don’t. I was allowed to leave immediately because I hadn’t driven.

Twoforthree · 22/03/2021 08:47

I had to wait for 15 minutes afterwards, but in the waiting room rather than the car, because I'm allergic to some antibiotics.
If you drive yourself then you'll be asked to wait a while anyway, so presumably most reactions happen fairly quickly.

However, a day out together, even to a drive through, does sound exciting in today's times.

partyatthepalace · 22/03/2021 08:51

Long drive so get a lift

HazeyJaneII · 22/03/2021 08:52

Several friends have driven themselves - they just had to wait 15 minutes afterwards to see if the had a reaction

I carry epipens, so was told to wait 15 minutes even though I hadn't driven, others who hadn't driven were able to leave straight away.

MrsWP · 22/03/2021 08:55

For an hour each way I'd have DH come for the "road trip"

My centre is in the same town, which is incredibly handy but making it a trip sounds more fun!

espressoontap · 22/03/2021 08:55

I drove myself (half hour away) and took my baby with me as nobody to have her (plus she doesn't take a bottle). When they saw I had her we were front of the queue.

If I were you I'd go alone but I can see the perk of a trip out together and a coffee - sounds like something my DH and I would do.

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