AstraZeneca / Oxford Jab - my experience age 44 (take a pen!)

[YowMyHead]

Hi All, I unexpectedly got the text on Friday and booked in for yesterday morning- sharing my experience in case it helps anyone out

1. it was a local health centre that was serving as a vaccine hub for several GP surgeries. It was a bit of a shambles (it was their 1st day of vaccinating) so I’d take your own pen to fill in forms , otherwise fine, everyone masked & distancing

2. no choice of vaccine (which is fine), everyone gets AZ and you get a card with the batch number to keep

3. 15 min wait - not happening at this centre, so if I had a history of allergies etc I’d have taken someone to wait with me outside perhaps. I understand this is v unusual, probably related to it being day 1

4. pain: nope, couldn’t even feel the needle go in, even less so than flu jab

5. after effects: yesterday : nothing , felt lively.... but had a nap for 3 hours which is unlike me, felt fine in the evening

Arm felt a bit sore around 10pm (12 hours after jab), nothing major

Last night: arm felt heavy & sore, but not enough to stop me sleeping

Felt a bit rough when I woke up (at 1pm ! ) I’m up by 8/9 at the weekend, headache, sore muscles

The aches are already wearing off, & headache easing a bit too

Am hoping the minor reaction shows my body is responding .... feeling better already and v grateful to have been offered vaccine

I’ve heard it’s good to not drink for a night or 2 before and a few nights after to maximise the effects. Also, if I were looking after small kids probably worth getting some easy meals sorted & maybe arrange for another adult to be on hand if you can

There's no 15 minute wait after the AZ, just the Pfizer (because of a small number of strong allergic reactions to it).
Congrats on the jab :)

@ScribblingPixie, DH and my Uncle were both told to wait for 15 minutes as they were driving. DH waited outside as he didn't want to be indoors with other people any longer than necessary so I don't know how they'd have known if he collapsed!

Our centre there was only a wait if you were making your way home alone
I had the tiredness/nap a very little dizziness for a couple of hours,
arm a bit sore for about a day.

[quote PinkSparklyPussyCat]@ScribblingPixie, DH and my Uncle were both told to wait for 15 minutes as they were driving. DH waited outside as he didn't want to be indoors with other people any longer than necessary so I don't know how they'd have known if he collapsed![/quote]
Yeah, that's what I'd do, wait outside if they asked me to hang around - I'd hate to fall at the final hurdle and catch it getting vaccinated!

I had the 15 min wait with the AZ jab as I was driving.

My parents had to wait 15 minutes after the AZ jab.

The rules are: 15 min observation period with Pfizer, because of the (slim) possibility of an allergic reaction, wait 15 mins before driving with AZ because if the (slim) possibility of fainting after a jab. So you should be observed for the Pfizer 15 mins but could just wait in your car for the AZ 15 mins, or if you didn’t drive (or someone else drove you), you can just leave immediately.

I took a pen but didn't need it as all my details were onscreen.
No wait, I was in and out in less than ten minutes.
No waiting about after either and all very efficiently done.
No side effects at all (had AZ).

My tip would be remember to wear a short sleeved top.

Thanks all for the info re the wait... I wasn’t driving and think most people were walk ins

Feeling much better since earlier, achy muscles gone, headache on its way out...I think I might need some hot buttered toast to make a FULL recovery though 😉

I went to a vaccine hub and it was brilliantly organised. No wait at all.

No need for a pen - it’s all online. But do take your booking details with you.

Jab didn’t hurt at all - I thought they had missed! - but had side effects (AZ) about 8 hours later.

Agree wear something it’s easy to shrug out of. When aunt went they received a plea beforehand not to turn up in three thermal vests, two blouses, four cardigans and a couple of sweaters.

My 20 yr old had his on Friday [ CEV ], he also had the AZ one at doctors surgery. He had to wait 15 minutes after having it. He drove himself to the appointment.
No side effects, just a sore arem.

@IrmaFayLear: some centres (that family have been to) had it printed so was expecting that but I had to fill in a form with a pen

I had the AZ and didn't have to wait 15 mins, even though driving. Had pre-filled my consent form so walked straight through in seconds, Injection was fine (and I'm petrified of needles!), had a really sore arm about 20 mins after it, but took paracetamol straight away and was fine! Feel a bit achey/tired but other than that all good