Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

COVID vaccine, anyone feel apprehensive about it?

103 replies

Josie1968 · 13/01/2021 22:35

Hi there

I just wondered whether anyone feels nervous about any potential long term implications or side effects from having the vaccine bearing in mind the quickness that it has got through the testing / regulations etc.

Everyone sounds like they’re happy to have it but I can’t help but have some reservations about it!! 😢

OP posts:
teenagetantrums · 13/01/2021 23:04

I was...considered not having it. But had my first one 4weeks ago. I'm 52 though so reckon covid would kill me quicker than the vacince.

Backbee · 13/01/2021 23:05

Nah, shoot me up. We probably know more about the effects of the jab than the enduring effect of covid. There is a lot of info online (make sure it's from reputable sources though) if that would give some reassurance, although I know that for some it exasperates it.

Spudina · 13/01/2021 23:05

I’ve had the Pfizer vaccine. It was tested on over 40,000 people and I didn’t have a single side effect. The vaccines have all been very well tested and approved by independent regulators.

1stMrsF · 13/01/2021 23:05

No.

littlemisslozza · 13/01/2021 23:06

A lot of people don't understand how vaccines work and sadly some believe what they hear from people who don't understand them either. It is wrong if they then convince others that they should be worried when actually they need to be taught about vaccines as they must have forgotten it from school science lessons. Socially acceptable to have the conversation, not socially acceptable to make others concerned about things you don't have any evidence of.

Original poster
Josie1968 · 13/01/2021 23:15

Thank you everyone for your replies 😊

OP posts:
ApplesinmyPocket · 13/01/2021 23:28

Nope, can't wait for mine. DH and DD (a nurse) have had theirs. I'm envious.

Crumpetycrump · 13/01/2021 23:33

No - I can’t wait but as al 53 year old will have to wait until April (hopefully).

ASmallMovie · 13/01/2021 23:34

Read an article in the latest New Yorker called The Plague Year.
It’ll explain why the vaccines for Covid have been able to be produced so quickly.

It’s a long read but stunning piece of journalism that should allay the fears of anyone who takes the time to read it.

housemdwaswrong · 13/01/2021 23:39

I'm not nervous although the actual vaccine, it's had more money, scientists and medical people and time thrown at it than anything before I think. I'm immunosupressed so a little nervous about how much immunity it will actually give me as it's an unknown factor atm.

But as for the processes itself I expect a sore arm for a day or two, maybe a headache and a temp for a couple days and that's it. That's what I have with the flu and pneumonia vaccines so I can't see this being any different.

It's natural to be cautious, but reading up on the testing etc has helped.

pigsDOfly · 13/01/2021 23:45

The only worry I have about it is when the hell they're going to start rolling it out in my town as we seem to have been forgotten.

There's a list for my county of various doctors' surgeries in each area and where the patients will have their jabs. My doctors' surgery isn't even listed.

But apart from that, I'm not worried about the actual jab. I'm in the fourth age group, just worried about when it's actually going to happen.

RosesforMama · 13/01/2021 23:58

How is everyone getting vaccinated? Are you all in frontline healthcare?

KeyIndexAug · 14/01/2021 00:00

nope, can't wait

Seasaltyhair · 14/01/2021 00:02

@littlemisslozza

No. Vaccines don't really have long term effects. People who peddle the discredited autism myth are responsible for making others think they do. Short term are things like a sore arm or a mild fever so no big deal. Tiny possibility of a larger reaction that they can usually screen for - e.g. checking for known allergies before they're given.

This may appear to have been developed quickly but never has so much time and money gone into one goal. So many companies and scientists working on the same thing and lots of money thrown at it. Normally they'd be working on all sorts of research and development for different vaccines and treatments for diseases. There is a new flu vaccine every year, depending on what they predict the strain will be, they are used to this. Covid-19 is a type of coronavirus, like SARS, for which so much work had already been done. They didn't start from scratch.

Your forgetting the Swine flu vaccine which did cause life changing effects in a very small number of cases. Some of them where NHS workers, some where children. They have only just started to receive compensation for it.

So it’s simply not true that vaccines don’t have long term effect because we know for a very small number it has

I’m not antivaxxer by they way before the frothing starts. My kids have had all their jabs.

But OP everything in life has a risk and you have to weigh up what risk your prepared to take. Would I take this vaccine if one of my kids were vulnerable - hell yes. Would I give this vaccine to my kids? No - well not yet anyway. My granny has had both sets and is completely fine. Although she still won’t be leaving the house even though she’s isolated for a year because she is petrified African covid will get her.

What bothers me most is that I’ve read multiple times now that covid will probably always here now and come back around each winter like flu and we will be able to take seasonal jabs - like the flu ones. How many seasonal jabs are we going to end up needing? It makes me feel uneasy.

Iamuhtredsonofuhtred · 14/01/2021 00:03

I’ve had mine, frontline NHS. Sore arm for a week, no other side effects. 15% of those with covid suffering long term effects; I’d rather take my chances with the vaccine (am pro vaccine generally but understand concerns)

Madhairday · 14/01/2021 00:04

No, can't wait to get mine in a few weeks all being well. :)

Calmandmeasured1 · 14/01/2021 00:09

@GretaSheen

Yes. I'm to have mine next week and I am very concerned and in two minds. I have Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis and I have had anaphylatic shock.
As long as the anaphylaxis is in your medical records you won't be given the Pfizer vaccine. My relative was contacted precisely because of that. They were told (this was before the Oxford jab was approved) they wouldn't be allowed to have the vaccine because they have suffered anaphylaxis and carry an epi-pen.

You should be asked about this. Make sure, if you are not asked about it, that you do inform them. You must not have the Pfizer vaccine.

Calmandmeasured1 · 14/01/2021 00:18

My preference was for the Pfizer vaccine because of the greater protection following the first jab. I won't be called up yet but I was a bit concerned today at the newspaper report of the very healthy Miami Obstetrician who has died 16 days after his first jab. The health authorities in Florida and the CDC are investigating but I don't like the fact that Pfizer, who will also be investigating, have come out so quickly and said they don't believe the unusual blood disorder, which caused the stroke and subsequent death, is related to the vaccine. I'd prefer them to investigate before guessing at the findings.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9142877/amp/CDC-Pfizer-investigating-death-Miami-obstetrician-died-two-weeks-getting-vaccine.html

Calmandmeasured1 · 14/01/2021 00:26

Oh my goodness, I hadn't heard about this woman in Portugal suddenly dying after the vaccine either.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9111311/Portuguese-health-worker-41-dies-two-days-getting-Pfizer-covid-vaccine.html

Broads93 · 14/01/2021 00:28

Its worrying that people aren't concerned about the long term effects. None of these vaccines have had the time to be tested for long term effects (usually this takes around 2 years) and although it's had lots of money etc throw at it, money cannot buy time.
Pfizer has so many active law suits against them for malpractice. Personally I won't be having it, I had covid a few months ago, was fine with it and I'm young-ish without any underlying illnesses so there's really no point in potentially endangering myself for something I don't need nor want.

MadameBlobby · 14/01/2021 00:28

No

RosesforMama · 14/01/2021 00:29

[quote Calmandmeasured1]My preference was for the Pfizer vaccine because of the greater protection following the first jab. I won't be called up yet but I was a bit concerned today at the newspaper report of the very healthy Miami Obstetrician who has died 16 days after his first jab. The health authorities in Florida and the CDC are investigating but I don't like the fact that Pfizer, who will also be investigating, have come out so quickly and said they don't believe the unusual blood disorder, which caused the stroke and subsequent death, is related to the vaccine. I'd prefer them to investigate before guessing at the findings.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9142877/amp/CDC-Pfizer-investigating-death-Miami-obstetrician-died-two-weeks-getting-vaccine.html[/quote]
My son got itp (same blood condition) after a flu vaccine. It was terrifying.
He isn't eligible for vaccination but having read this, when he comes of age I will be avoiding pfizer.

RosesforMama · 14/01/2021 00:34

Mind you, why they infused platelets when the body is destroying platelets I have no idea. My son (who also has platelets at zero) was treated with immunoglobulin.

MadameXanadu · 14/01/2021 00:34

I’m very happy to have it.

Under 50 but only just, so won’t get it for a while. I trust that the regulations are very solid and it’s been properly tested and passed.

I’d rather stick rusty nails in my eyes than carry on living like we are !

daisydalrymple · 14/01/2021 00:36

Nope, not at all. I had Covid over Christmas and wouldn’t wish it on anyone.