Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and the side effects

[LeSquigh]

Morning all

Many of my colleagues have now received the first dose of the Oxford vaccine and every single one of them has reported side effects, quite a large number have had to take time off work and been bedridden. Are we in the minority or is this true for all that have it? Not really looking forward to my turn!

[quote trulydelicious]@Sparklingbrook

I would imagine employers would have mixed reactions to people ringing in sick because of the side effects of a vaccine

What do you mean? So they should go to work even if they are feeling very poorly?[/quote]
No I didn't mean that, although there will be key worker employees who will do that.

I just meant that depending on your boss, making a sick call because of the side effects of a vaccine might not be a great conversation.

My current boss I think would be very understanding but previous ones not so much.

I came on here to find out whether other people were experiencing bad side effects, that is all.

So why didn't you google it? Or search for one of the billion threads on this?

@vanitythynameisnotwoman

To add to the anec-data I had the AZ vaccine yesterday and feel fine. Am an NHS Dr but also have CFS/ME and a separate autoimmune condition.

But to the OP and others I'd say this:
If you want to do something to genuinely help follow up the side effects during the mass rollout, download the 'Zoe' app - they are doing 7 day follow ups of major symptoms and this will produce some proper, admittedly with reporting bias, data.

Also, if you're getting it, do like you would with a baby and take paracetamol the day of, the night of, and the morning after.

If you have abnormal reactions, which I would suggest being unable to get out of bed at all certainly is, then report via the yellow card system.

And to answer a PP if you are febrile on the morning after (temp above 37.8) you need a Covid test and to stay home with your household exactly as if you hadn't had the vaccine.

Perfect post!

Report to yellow card, and to Zoe, and take paracetamol and anti sickness tablets if you have access to them.

@LionLily

Interestingly, we found whilst sharing experiences that the only ones who experienced no side effects whatsoever were those of us who take a Vitamin D supplement

It may have to do with the fact that vitamin D is a steroid hormone, so it may help modulate the immune response?

I have heard of loads of people getting bad headaches and hangover type symptoms. My sister in law works in a hospital and they are all have their jabs staggered so workforce not off all at same time. Seems to be a given they are going to get side effects

I should have added, we are emergency services

Sure you are, dear.

Starting to feel like we should do a few placebo vaccine rounds as well during this rollout, just to see how many weird and wonderful side effects get reported by dopey malade imaginaires who have just had a shot of saline solution.

I had it on Friday. Sore arm for 48 hours. No other symptoms.

It may have to do with the fact that vitamin D is a steroid hormone, so it may help modulate the immune response

Having said that, I don't know whether this would be beneficial or not in the context of vaccination though

Sure you are, dear.

Why so bloody condescending?

I don't get why some people have taken issue to the fact the OP has stated their emergency services but not medical!

I am referring to the fact that the OP posts like someone who is pretty clueless about everything remotely medical yet is claiming to be in emergency services. I was hardly casting aspersions on ES. In fact, the whole point of my post is that people who work in ES SHOULD have a lot of knowledge about these matters.

Some of the comments are very harsh, OP was asking for people’s experiences that have had the Oxford, she wants the vaccine, as most of us do, she just wants to be prepared. Why can’t anyone ask a simple question these days without being shouted down.

I am CEV and so expecting to get called to have the vaccine at some point in the next few weeks.

I am VERY glad the OP has posted this. It doesn't put me off the vaccine, doesn't make me worry but will allow me to prepare an easier couple of days post vaccine, just in case.

Thanks OP!

@covetingthepreciousthings

Sure you are, dear.

Why so bloody condescending?

I don't get why some people have taken issue to the fact the OP has stated their emergency services but not medical!

I am trying to decipher which emergency service wouldn't need anyone to be any better in first aid than putting a plaster on.

As 'a large number' of your colleagues have been bedridden due to the side effects there must be thousands all over the UK who are bedridden. Surprised the media hasn't picked it up

Why’s the OP getting such a hard time? Don’t think she’s actually telling people not to have the vaccine
This is the first time in a long time that the entire adult population are going to be vaccinated en masse.
Lots of people don’t have an annual flu vaccine, have never heard of yellow cards or SmPcs, don’t regularly access the NHS, aren’t healthcare professionals, won’t have been vaccinated since childhood, are illiterate or just don’t read the patient information leaflets.
It won’t do any harm to mention the possible side effects prior to having the vaccine, especially the fact that they can be severe, so that they can plan and manage any side effects, take a day of annual leave or get someone to help look after the kids if need be.

I am trying to decipher which emergency service wouldn't need anyone to be any better in first aid than putting a plaster on

The AA?

@Divebar

I am trying to decipher which emergency service wouldn't need anyone to be any better in first aid than putting a plaster on

The AA?

Mmmm. Would they not have at least some basic first aid training? Would they be being called to use up vaccines that would otherwise go to waste?

If so many are bedridden I hope I don't break down on the way to work.

Why’s the OP getting such a hard time?

I think it's at least partly to do with her claiming to be emergency services while at the same time acting so shocked that many colleagues suffered side effects listed as "very common" in the leaflet you get given when being vaccinated.

@FunnyItWorkedLastTime

It’s worth thinking about for NHS employers though. A mass vaccination of all staff on a single day could cause disastrous levels of staff absence.

Yes, this!

My DH (GP) had the Pfizer jab last week. He had a leftover jab on a day when he wasn't due to work the next morning in case it did have side effects for him. He has had Covid so more likely to get side effects according to other medics who'd experienced them.

In the event he spent a day in bed feeling like complete crap and had to cancel his out of hours shift for the evening as he had a temperature. I'm glad he didn't book it for a day when he had a full clinic of patients booked. This is a good example of why it's important to know that some people will get side-effects and it is not an argument against the vax itself.

Covid had a good go at killing him so we are both ecstatic he had the jab. Both 100% pro-vax.

I mentioned on Mumsnet that he'd struggled with side effects in a post a couple of days ago and was told it was:

A. A coincidence.
B. No big deal compared to Covid.

I totally agree with B. A is complete rubbish. If people can prepare for the fact that they might feel a bit rubbish - or might not - they can plan for childcare, work etc.

PS - he takes a high dose vitamin D supplement, if that helps add to the anecdata around who is most likely to experience side-effects ;)

@Divebar I have PM’d you.

I work for a blue light service, as a 999 operator, not ambulance and therefore do not have any medical training because I don’t need it for my job.

@LeSquigh

They haven’t had COVID tests, most have had antibody tests within the last few days. I’m talking about a group of maybe 100 people within the age range 20-50 ish. Nearly all have had absolutely cracking headaches as a minimum, a lot have also had severe nausea, aching limbs to the point they can barely move around hence being bedridden, very sore at the point of injection. Men seem to be affected worse within the group of people that have had it in my workplace. We have nearly as many people off sick with reactions to the vaccine as we do with actual COVID. The side effects for the vaccine do state all of the above but we were not expecting it to be this bad.

I wasn’t aware of the yellow card scheme, but they may be because of the paperwork they have been given, I’ll check.

Obviously it’s for the greater good, it was just quite unexpected for so many people to be so unwell.

Your nhs workers? and your unaware of the yellow card scheme?

Does every person who gets a bad reaction to the vaccine needs to get out of bed and go and get a Covid test as the symptoms are pretty much the same?

@Theunamedcat NO, I am not an NHS worker. Nowhere have I said this and I have repeatedly explained that I am non medical emergency services staff.

[quote LeSquigh]@Theunamedcat NO, I am not an NHS worker. Nowhere have I said this and I have repeatedly explained that I am non medical emergency services staff.[/quote]
Slightly disappointed you aren't an AA mechanic now.