COVID vaccine

[OssomMummy1]

I read about the availability of COVID VACCINE for HCWs from the beginning of December. The NHS trust that I work for was all over the media this weekend asking its employees to have the COVID jab, which is being offered as 2 doses 4 weeks apart. I am a single mother of 3 beautiful girls who are worried about both COVID as well as its vaccine. I get so ill for 48hrs after my flu jab every year; not sure what to expect after the COVID jab. After hearing about 2 incidents of reactions to the vaccine in the US (transverse myelitis) and Brazil, I am very concerned about receiving this vaccine. If anything happens to me, my girls will be on the streets as they are just 11, 8 and 3 years old and have no support other then me. Even my parents and in-laws have disowned me. If I don't take the vaccine, I am worried about catching the COVID infection as I am a keyworker and in a frontline, high-risk job.
Any advice is appreciated.

Well, for one, the trails would not have resumed so quickly if they had genuine concerns about TM. One of the cases was proven to not be vaccine related at all (pre-existing illness) & the US case has been under investigation. The US are extremely cautious with drugs & the trail has now resumed. The safety regulator has found no evidence it was caused by the vaccine after a thorough investigation.

We should take these investigations as a positive. They are upholding all normal standards of testing & safety.

When you say the flu vaccine makes you ill - in what way? It’s not a live vaccine, you cannot get the flu from it. You can feel a bit grotty from your body fighting off the dead cells (which is what you want it to do) but if you get a serious reaction, you should probably talk to your GP!

Ultimately, it’s your choice. It’s unlikely a vaccine will cause any serious harm. Covid could. But still perhaps unlikely if you are young. I’ll be front of the queue if it means I don’t have to bloody isolate repeatedly for 14 days from either catching it or close contact!

The case in Brazil was given the placebo as far as I know so most likely unrelated to the vaccine at all.

What was the adverse reaction in Brazil? I must have missed this. I am assuming you’re not talking about the young Brazilian doctor who sadly died - he was in the control group.

X post

I think before you decide yes or no have a read about the vaccine. I’m sure if and when one comes out there will be lots of information regarding the trials. Vaccines face really rigorous safety testing. It sounds like Covid would be a real problem for you as a single mum (especially if you then get long covid) so you’ll have to weigh it all up.

If you’re really ill after the flu jab I’d get checked out by your GP. It’s not a live vaccine and is only supposed to provoke a mild immune response.