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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:
Wherediditgo · 14/02/2021 16:39

My mom had it a few weeks ago and had no side effects apart from a slightly achey arm.
AND she was unwell at the time with something else.

ShanghaiDiva · 14/02/2021 16:42

I had mine last Monday. Felt a bit achey on the Tuesday and my arm was sore, but fine on Wednesday.

loretta81 · 14/02/2021 16:42

Husband (33) had it Friday. Felt tired Friday night so went to bed early. Absolutely fine in the night and fine since. Took paracetamol yesterday for a super mild headache. Now back to normal. Please get it! I can't wait. Imagine how much time you might be out of action for if you got Covid.

Babdoc · 14/02/2021 16:56

Had the Pfizer one two days ago. Slightly tender arm at the injection site, nothing else.
Sister had the Oxford, felt tired for 24 hours, then fine.
Honestly OP, it’s way better than getting Covid. I have permanent lung damage after Covid last March - I’m still breathless at 100 yards. And I spent months with severe post viral fatigue and had relapses of coughing for hours on end every few weeks. Don’t risk getting long Covid - have the vaccination.

thatgingergirl · 14/02/2021 17:01

How do people know which vaccine they will be getting? Is that information given only if a person has underlying conditions?

pourmeanotherglass · 14/02/2021 17:04

Quite a few of my work team had mild side effects, but none of us needed medical care. More stuff like headaches, tiredness, feeling a bit washed out. I had it late afternoon and was fine on the day, went to work the next day, but felt really tired that evening and had to have a really early night.
Definitely not bad enough to put any of us off having our second when it is offered. Much better than catching Covid.

Tanfastic · 14/02/2021 17:07

You won't need medical care op, I promise you! At most you'll feel a bit fluey with a day or two. You'll still be able to look after your children however if you have a partner who can help then maybe factor that in just in case.

I was fine after a day and a half.

pourmeanotherglass · 14/02/2021 17:07

How do people know which vaccine they will be getting? Is that information given only if a person has underlying conditions?
I booked through a link sent via work (NHS) and didnt find out until i arrived for my jab - on arrival they gave me an information sheet about the jab i was having, and i had to sign for consent.

ShanghaiDiva · 14/02/2021 17:12

@pourmeanotherglass

How do people know which vaccine they will be getting? Is that information given only if a person has underlying conditions? I booked through a link sent via work (NHS) and didnt find out until i arrived for my jab - on arrival they gave me an information sheet about the jab i was having, and i had to sign for consent.
If you know someone that has already been to that centre/clinic then you will know which vaccine. Eg my dm had hers at the local sports centre which offers the Oxford jab.
Sash887 · 14/02/2021 17:14

Hi, I had the oxford vaccine yesterday. Felt fine till early hours this morning, had chills and a fever. Felt achy and had a headache. Few hours later I feel fine after keeping on top of fluids and paracetamol. I'm currently breastfeeding as well so I think it didn't help the fact I'm over tired anyways. My friend had it also a few weeks ago and my mum and dad and they were all absolutely fine. Everyone will react differently it's just our bodies response.

percheron67 · 14/02/2021 17:16

I have a faulty immune system and checked with my GP before having my jab. Tiny jab - no pain and no after effects. Good Luck.

zenasfuck · 14/02/2021 17:16

I had the AZ last Sunday and within hours I was really unwell with flu symptoms- high temp, shivers, joint pain and my body just felt like lead. It lasted 5 days and even now I'm still very tired

But I'd do it again tomorrow because whilst it's been an unpleasant few days, the side effects of the vaccine pass and I am now safer from covid - as a CEV person, I'd rather the side effects than the risk of death that covid brings

thatgingergirl · 14/02/2021 17:22

pourmeanotherglass - I've booked mine online too - I didn't notice any information about which vaccine would be used. My bingo wings are more than ready for either vaccine, but I just wondered as OP says they've been invited for the Oxford.

dancingbymyself · 14/02/2021 17:25

If you were poorly under any other circumstances, how would you handle childcare?

The joy with side effects is at least you can plan ahead :-)

digitaldays · 14/02/2021 17:40

Vaccinator here. There is no way you would be able to find out in advance what vaccine you will get, and you cannot choose.
We have been using supplies of Pfizer but have some Oxford ( for those that might be prone to certain allergic reactions.

Myself and all my colleagues have generally be fine. Common side effects - sore arm. Like any vaccine
Occasional side effects- mild headache, fatigue, high temperature. All dissipated usually within 24-48 hours.
Too many stories of severe illnesses, loss of life, very very horrible Covid symptoms. I don't want to scare monger any further, but trust me, the very small risk of a vaccine side effect is so much more preferable than to be another sufferer or victim of covid

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 14/02/2021 18:16

I felt fine at first - sore arm and fluey symptoms kicked in 12 hour after I'd had the vaccine. Similar to when I had covid.
Realised how bad I felt at about 4am, took a paracetamol and felt a lot better.
Took paracetamol through the day.
Second evening still felt a bit shit - more paracetamol, and Nytol to help me sleep.
Slept OK - but groggy today, but generally OK.
I'll probably take pre-emptive paracetamol and Nytol in the evening when I have the second vaccine.

At the vaccine centre they said flu-like symptoms would affect 1 in 10, and probably last for 24-48 hours., so pretty spot on.

Just make sure you have paracetamol in.

If you know someone that has already been to that centre/clinic then you will know which vaccine. Not necessarily, I found loads of references on twitter to the centre I went to using Pfizer, and spoke to a couple of neighbours who'd had it there.
When I turned up on Friday, the centre had switched to AZ this week - more assured supply I was told. £££ could have something to do with it too.

Waitingfirgodot · 14/02/2021 18:31

I've had Covid and the vaccine. The side effects from the vaccine were unpleasant, but Covid was considerably worse.

Motorina · 14/02/2021 18:43

I was the worst off in my large team. 36 hours of achy/fluey/exhaustion.

I was a long way off needing to seek medical care, and would have been fine to care for kids, albeit in a 'stick them in front of the telly and feed them chicken nuggets' way. I would have found home schooling hard work, but keeping them safe and fed would have been totally manageable.

Covid is much much more likely to compromise your parenting. As, frankly, is a bad cold.

And, remember - I was at the bad end. Most of my team had nothing worse than a bit of a sore arm.

zenasfuck · 14/02/2021 19:30

@digitaldays - that's not true. I originally booked at a vaccination centre near my home, when my GP called to check if booked my vaccine, I asked if he knew which one they were using there
He told me it was the Pfizer one but that another local centre were using AZ and I was able to change my appointment and got the AZ

digitaldays · 14/02/2021 19:38

@zenasfuck I'm in Scotland. I presume there are regional variations. I was only telling you my personal experience as a vaccinator. Our patients have certainly not had a choice

TorringtonDean · 14/02/2021 19:40

If you don’t want it, I’ll have it! I’m 55 and a long way off my appointment and will be expected back at work before I am immunised. Consider yourself very lucky.

Furloughwonder · 14/02/2021 19:46

I got my vaccine with about 5 minutes notice - I’m delighted I did not have time to over think. It was well worth the aches & temperature I got.

It’s absolutely not worth worrying about

Webbetal · 14/02/2021 20:57

To all those who say 'oh I had it and my arm was a bit sore' I'm pleased for you but that really isn't helpful. No one knows the long term side effects of these vaccines. They may have managed to get through the early phases of the trials because of money and collective effort but unfortunately there has been no time to know the long term effects. Also, although Mrna medications have been looked into they have NEVER been approved for use. Just think about that.

Furloughwonder · 14/02/2021 21:02

@Webbetal Well on that basis this whole thread is of no interest to you then - it’s a new vaccine

BlueBlancmange · 14/02/2021 21:14

Slight fever and achey 12 hours after the jab which then lasted about 36 hours. Only slightly unpleasant. Also a sore arm for a few days.