Invited for the Oxford vaccine, now scared of side effects. Advice welcome.

[Mumof3andlovingit]

I was so looking forward to the vaccine, yet I’ve read so many stories of the side effects associated with the Oxford vaccine.
Is there anyone who has a positive story to share?
I am 39, low BMI but have mild asthma and chronic low anaemia.
I actually think I’m low risk, but obviously getting the vaccine would alleviate any worries of severe disease.
If you have had the Oxford vaccine, what was it like for you?
I’m booked in for Wednesday so need to make a decision fast.

I had the Oxford vaccine last Sunday. I felt achy on Monday afternoon - headache and aching joints - but some paracetamol helped a lot and it was gone by Tuesday. Other than that, my arm just felt a bit tender round the injection site for a few days.

Bit of a temp during the night, and a bit tired and just a general feeling of not being quite right but nothing major.

Fine the day I had it. Next day my arm hurt and I felt a bit poorly. Fine the next day although my upper arm was tender for a few more days.

My in-laws had no side-effects at all. It’s the same for any inoculation - but think of what you’re being part of - our route out!

Sore arm, a headache and a bit of a temp the first night.

Honestly, a million times better than getting Covid. Had I not been thinking about it, I probably wouldn't have even noticed the very mild side effects I did get.

What exactly are you worried about?

I had the vaccine, as others have said, a bit of a sore arm but other than that no adverse effects. I am severely anaemic due to chronic medical condition and I haven’t noticed any additional tiredness.

Arm was slightly tender to touch. Nothing else at all.

TBH we have all been vaccinatedat work and most of the staff did feel unwell high temperature,aching joints,headache etc . Just try not to have any plans for a couple of days post vaccine . Paracetamol and Ibushould will do the trick. I had my vac yesterday and my arm is very uncomfortable and I am working which is annoying.
It really is worth the discomfort so that our world and our childrens. world can get closer to normal

I was one of the really poorly ones, felt dreadful as did my mum but listen up. Not everyone gets side effects, out of my team, Only about a third of us did and of that third only two of us were off work (me being one of them).

Not everyone gets side effects, and if you do then they only last a day or two. I say take it on the chin and what will be will be. Absolutely no reason to feel scared of the side effects.

You've just got to think positively.

I'd be less worried about the side affects than I would be about landing in hospital with covid.

First dose - sore arm, red itchy patch that lasted a few weeks. Second dose - zero. Worth taking a paracetamol to head off any aches/pains

Seriously, speak to your doctor. Asking for anecdotal experiences from randoms on the internet is not going to help you see things more clearly. Apart from anything else, you will inevitably get people making shit up, either for or against, just to further their own agenda. It's also highly likely that your own internal biases will lead to you focusing on the posts that support your fears because that is what anxious people tend to do.

Just remember the side effect of Not having the vaccine is death.

The nice thing about knowing there may be side effects, is that you can prepare and avoid anything too bad. Paracetamol/Ibuprofen Lucozade, and a hot water bottle deal with most of it. And it's only for around 24 hours, so it's a small price to pay for safety.

15m people have been vaccinated. If there was a serious problem we’d know. You might get a slightly sore arm or a bit of a headache but you’ll be 100% protected from severe Covid/death from Covid. Don’t be silly.

Is there anyone who has a positive story to share?

DM had AZ on Friday, no Ill effects at all.
I had Pfizer and also zero side effects

I’d take a sore arm or flu like symptoms for 48 hours over covid any day.

@Tanfastic

I was one of the really poorly ones, felt dreadful as did my mum but listen up. Not everyone gets side effects, out of my team, Only about a third of us did and of that third only two of us were off work (me being one of them).

Not everyone gets side effects, and if you do then they only last a day or two. I say take it on the chin and what will be will be. Absolutely no reason to feel scared of the side effects.

You've just got to think positively.

But you are ok now? No long lasting side effects? Yes, trying to think positively

Thanks for your accounts. Much appreciated. Just looking at the board in the last day or so, I can see many others have similar concerns and will also find this thread useful.

@Pillowcase123

Sore arm, a headache and a bit of a temp the first night.

Honestly, a million times better than getting Covid. Had I not been thinking about it, I probably wouldn't have even noticed the very mild side effects I did get.

What exactly are you worried about?

High temp or developing something that requires me to seek medical help. I know I’m probably being paranoid, but I’ve got a baby and also my youngest DS has autism, so guess my biggest fear is being too unwell to care for them.

I had my first jab midweek and honestly had no side effects whatsoever. But even if you feel a bit fluey afterwards for a day or two, it's got to be worth it.

Headache and a sore arm.

My overwhelming side effect from the vaccine was relief.

Headache was mild but lasted a while but actually may have been nothing to do with the vaccine

From my parents' and their many friends' experiences (all over 70), side effects were common, never lasted longer than 24hrs and weren't anything like on a scale that would need medical attention.

Grotty and under the weather seems to be the consensus on how many of them felt.

Given all the colds theyve dodged this year due to social distancing, my mum felt she was still quids in.