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Original poster

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

91 replies

Mumof3andlovingit · 14/02/2021 11:18

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.

OP posts:
loobylou10 · 14/02/2021 13:12

Goodness me don't let tales here put you off - HAVE THE VACCINE. It's a privilege. I had it, had a headache and felt a bit fluey the day after but am fine now and have no worries about the next one in 12 weeks.
Please have it.

Bagelsandbrie · 14/02/2021 13:15

I’m in the clinically extremely vulnerable group and I did have a strong reaction to it- I have Addison’s, lupus, severe asthma, sjorgens, pituitary issues etc- I was unwell for about 48 hours, terrible muscle aches and felt like I had real flu. I suspect it set off a lupus flare. HOWEVER, I would do all that 200 times over again against the thought of getting actual Covid. The vaccine is amazing and we should all be jumping to have it.

TeaAndStrumpets · 14/02/2021 13:30

I was worried because I have numerous food allergies and sensitivities and react to so many things. I had AZ jab last Monday, easy peasy. Felt a bit headachey overnight, better by the time I'd had my 2nd morning cuppa!

I am 70, my DH had his jab at the same time and likewise no problem. My arm isn't as sore as it was with my last flu jab. Occasionally I will feel it but it hopefully that means things are responding as they should.

Hope that helps.

fairislecable · 14/02/2021 13:41

DH and I had ours yesterday (AZ) , his arm is showing a slight bump, mine not showing at all.

He is fine, I have a slight headachey feeling.

My DD, mid 30’s, had hers midweek and was very flu like (temperature, headache and sweats) for 24 hours. She also had COVID last year and said she would rather have the vaccine than Covid.

It’s a minor inconvenience rather than a life threatening virus.

QueenPaw · 14/02/2021 13:44

I'm CEV. About 12hrs after had a headache, went to bed and had a restless night shivering/hot/cold and very achy. Felt better in the morning and had a lazy day. Fine after that
So yes I had side effects but I took paracetamol and they were less than my side effects I get from my weekly medication!
I wasn't concerned or worried at any point, just "ah, it's working and I feel grotty"

Chailatteplease · 14/02/2021 13:46

I had flu like symptoms for almost 3 days. Side effects were worse than I expected but I would make the choice to have it again. Being able to not fear serious disease with covid made it a no brainer for me.

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 14/02/2021 13:48

Here is your choice:

Have the vaccine and potentially be a bit poorly for two days while your body learns to zap the covid.

Or,

Don't have it, catch covid and potentially get extremely ill and perhaps even die.

Neither option is fabulous fun. But option 1 will mean that you, and everyone around you, can move on beyond the pandemic.

Please take it!

Ariela · 14/02/2021 13:48

@Lockdownbear

I'd be less worried about the side affects than I would be about landing in hospital with covid.
This in spades. The vaccine will keep you out of hospital if you do get it.

The 94 year old I look after had hers a couple of weeks ago (not had mine) she said it was just a pin prick and no symptoms whatsoever, her flu jab left her with achy arm.

lydia2021 · 14/02/2021 13:56

Hi. I had AZ last Thurs. Same day had shivers so bad went to bed with el blanket on full all night. Today, feel a bit drunk, or hungover. Havent been drinking. I had the vacc due to my medical issues. Still here to tell the tale, which some poor souls didn't in this past year.

happytoday73 · 14/02/2021 14:01

5 colleagues at work did last week..all 50s/60s... CEV.... . 1 nothing, 3 sore arm at injection site, one felt a bit like getting cold/flu for one night and headache next..

All felt mentality better for having it...

Alfaix · 14/02/2021 14:01

The worst is 24 hours of feeling a bit rubbish, you would still be able to look after your children in a CBeebies and beans on toast kind of way but not a full day of crafts and roast dinner kind of way. You might feel nothing at all bar a sore arm.
Have the jab!

YowMyHead · 14/02/2021 15:23

I had mine yesterday morning, (AZ) fine that day, arm felt sore at bedtime

Feeling a bit ‘under the weather’ today (achy,/mild headache, like I’ve got a cold TBH). Hoping it will have worn off by tomorrow

This is the leaflet I got given: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/951769/PHE_COVID-19_vaccination_guide_what_to_expect_after_your_vaccination_English_v2.pdf

Whattheduck · 14/02/2021 15:28

I had the vaccine yesterday (I had covid at new year) and even though I don’t feel brilliant today (achy and a headache) I wouldn’t wish covid on anyone so have the vaccination

Enidblyton1 · 14/02/2021 15:31

Both sets of grandparents had their jabs last week and none of them suffered any ill effects. OP, it’s natural to feel a bit nervous about an injection - especially if you haven’t had one for a while and if side effects are being report in the press.

Keep reminding yourself that if you do have side effects, they will likely be a lot less nasty than actually catching covid.

Ch3rish · 14/02/2021 15:47

This in spades. The vaccine will keep you out of hospital if you do get it

Do you have a link for that @Ariela, I haven't seen that it stops you being hospitalised, do we have enough data to reach that conclusion?

Pillowcase123 · 14/02/2021 16:01

OP - I get it, being ill with little ones is never fun!

To be completely honest though, you're running a higher risk of being so ill you cant look after your DC if you dont get it and catch Covid.

Good luck, I really hope you get it and all is well. 15million people have been vaccinated so far and no major bumps in the road or really ill people.

PusheenLove · 14/02/2021 16:07

@Chailatteplease

I had flu like symptoms for almost 3 days. Side effects were worse than I expected but I would make the choice to have it again. Being able to not fear serious disease with covid made it a no brainer for me.
This was my experience. 3 days exactly.

OP, what is the point of this thread? You won't know which camp you fall in until you get the jab Hmm

BIWI · 14/02/2021 16:10

I had mine yesterday. My arm is a little bit sore but that's it. No other side effects.

GO AND HAVE YOUR VACCINE!

We are so privileged to be offered it so early, compared with many/most other countries.

78percentLindt · 14/02/2021 16:10

In my sixties, had it on Friday, no side effects apart from the injection site being a bit tender when I laid on it. Dh felt a bit lethargic for about 24 hours the day after
Nothing else.
I felt worse after this year's flu vaccine.
Go for it as other gave said, it's better than C19.

mrsed1987 · 14/02/2021 16:14

I had it, had an arm ache for 2 days about 3 days after I had it. No other symptoms

Dcadmam001 · 14/02/2021 16:19

I’ve had vaccine and yes I was pretty ill after - shivering all night and then a splitting headache - that lasted about 48 hours. But then I always react to the flu jab as well so was kind of expecting it! Didn’t feel back to normal for 3-4 days.

But much better than getting COVID. I won’t hesitate to get the second jab

trunumber · 14/02/2021 16:20

It would be worse to get covid. A few of my team had side effects, they felt rotten but it lasted a couple of days and they could still look after their children.

Todaytomorrowyesterday · 14/02/2021 16:23

Both my in laws & step - in law have had the Oxford all fine after no issues . Both my sisters (health care settings) has the phizer one - one was fine the other a headache - literally for 24 hours then felt fine.

flapjackfairy · 14/02/2021 16:25

@Mumof3andlovingit
I understand your worries if you have a child with additional needs. My husband and I had it last week. We have 2 children with complex needs who need round the clock care so should have thought it through better and had our jabs a few days apart just in case . Anyway I was also most worried about looking after our kids if we felt rubbish and we did indeed have some side effects. I was v cold whilst husband v hot. We were both a bit achy and I had a headache . Both a bit washed out as well. But really it was nothing in the grand scheme of things and we were fine looking after our kids. We just planned for a lazy day the next day and did the bare minimum. Within 24 hrs I was fine anyway and dh was ok within 48 hrs.
Honestly it is a small price to pay and once you have had it you can relax a bit because without the jab you will always be at risk of catching it and being unable to care for your children for a much longer period. Good luck .

NeedWineNow · 14/02/2021 16:38

My mum (84) had her first dose a couple of weeks ago. She felt very tired the following day, and had a sore and heavy arm for 2 or 3 days but other than that was fine. She had the Oxford. Similarly one of my friends who is classed as vulnerable ( heart attack and breast cancer) had hers and had the heavy arm/ feeling tired for a couple of days.

Interestingly another friend who has asthma and was booked in for hers was told that as she is also anaphylactic she is not allowed to have the Pfizer one and can only have the Oxford. She's now got to wait until her local clinic gets the Oxford.

DH is due to get his in the next couple of weeks according to our GP message on FB - he can't wait!