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Original poster

Cancelling second vaccine appt?

37 replies

Athinginitself · 28/03/2021 22:30

I'm due my 2nd vaccine appointment in a couple of weeks (offered through work-nhs) am 100% pro vaccination btw. I'm not well currently..theres a few things going on but have longstanding CFS/ME and have had a terrible crash, stuck in bed, fainting a lot, feeling truly awful.
I want my vaccination but really dont know if I can cope or my body can cope with anything else now tbh, I was Ill for a few days after the 1st (nothing terrible mostly bad fatigue) but wonder how it will effect me given how I'm feeling (I'd feel the same if it was the flu vaccine which I have annually)
I've had covid and had the 1st vaccination and would ideally like to wait until I'm feeling a bit better and some health stuff has settled down, but will be beyond 12 weeks and have to start again..and unlikely to be offered again at work as they will have done everyone. Do you think there would be the opportunity for me to have it again in a few weeks/months via gp/hub or will I just have missed the boat?

OP posts:
notrub · 29/03/2021 13:47

The 12 week gap is something the UK made up - turned out to be better than the gap between jabs used in the trials, but it's not an absolute, like a Use-by date!

If a 12 week gap had turned out to be inferior to a 6 week gap then it would be likely that a longer gap would be worse still, and then you're taking a bigger risk. But it may just be that a longer gap still is even better!

The main issues are two-fold: that your immunity is likely to start falling eventually after the first dose, and that your immunity is not as complete as it would be WITH the second dose - however it's likely to be high for at least 6 months based on data from people infected with covid.

So if you're genuinely not feeling up to going for the jab, don't! Postpone it and don't worry about any impact. But do try to complete within 6 months!

Cornettoninja · 29/03/2021 14:02

I would speak to your occupational health team.

My main concern would be that I wouldn’t be able to guarantee another booking with the Pfizer vaccine or it would be ages away if I missed a booked slot since they’ve been ring fenced (as far as I know) for second doses.

SpareBib · 29/03/2021 14:23

I have ME too. I'm more scared of Long Covid than a post-vaccine ME flare, so in your place I'd probably have it. I understand your feelings though Flowers

Original poster
Athinginitself · 29/03/2021 14:59

Thanks. I do think I have an ok immunity to it at the moment given I've had covid and 1 dose, partner had covid recently and I didn't catch it so am thinking that's positive but obviously dont want to risk getting it again if it was months before I could rebook, if im still off work I might go for it but not sure I could risk it triggering things again if I have just made it back to work given sickness policy etc.

OP posts:
ACovidofWitches · 29/03/2021 15:05

I really sympathise but I'd have it in your shoes.

Firstly the more protected you are from getting Covid (again) the better - that would still be more risky for you than the vaccine.

Secondly they're finding that the vaccine helps some with things like ME - my crude understanding is because your immune system is kickstarted/stimulated to a degree. They're seeing it with some Long Covid sufferers and others with autoimmune conditions that they pick up after the vaccines. So it might just help you a bit. I fully understand why you'd be worried about it though and so sorry you're dealing with such a bad crash. Has your health been affected by the stress of the pandemic do you think? (understandable if so)

Cornettoninja · 29/03/2021 15:19

If you’re NHS covid related absence shouldn’t trigger anything. Again, have a word with your occupational health team but putting aside how you feel right now (I am sympathetic btw) your right in that there is an argument for getting your current flare and any side effects over and done with in one period of sickness even if it makes it a longer absence in total.

Original poster
Athinginitself · 29/03/2021 15:51

@ACovidofWitches

I really sympathise but I'd have it in your shoes.

Firstly the more protected you are from getting Covid (again) the better - that would still be more risky for you than the vaccine.

Secondly they're finding that the vaccine helps some with things like ME - my crude understanding is because your immune system is kickstarted/stimulated to a degree. They're seeing it with some Long Covid sufferers and others with autoimmune conditions that they pick up after the vaccines. So it might just help you a bit. I fully understand why you'd be worried about it though and so sorry you're dealing with such a bad crash. Has your health been affected by the stress of the pandemic do you think? (understandable if so)

Not really the general stress I dont think (been quite lucky that way) but having covid..taking 6+ months to recover, then having a really bad sinus infection at xmas did it, plus I think a new medication for another condition hasn't helped, but I was v stressed when my partner got covid and had to do a lot more whilst he was poorly when I was already in a bit of a tangle..so that probably didn't help.
OP posts:
Original poster
Athinginitself · 29/03/2021 15:53

@Cornettoninja

If you’re NHS covid related absence shouldn’t trigger anything. Again, have a word with your occupational health team but putting aside how you feel right now (I am sympathetic btw) your right in that there is an argument for getting your current flare and any side effects over and done with in one period of sickness even if it makes it a longer absence in total.
Thankyou that's a good point, I also only work p/t so could switch days around so I had a day off after jab. Probably wont have any impact after all of this worry about it Grin
OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 29/03/2021 16:28

I really hope so, pure anecdote but I’m sure I read something about how if you’ve had covid you react badly to the first vaccine (if you’re going to) not the second. I couldn’t tell you whether that was regarding Pfizer or AZ but fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
Athinginitself · 29/03/2021 16:33

Thankyou Flowers and thanks for all the helpful comments I was expecting to just get shouted at x

OP posts:
poppym12 · 29/03/2021 18:07

I'm in the same boat @Athinginitself but my second one isn't due for 3 weeks.

I've already decided that even if I'm still feel like I've been hit by a bus, I'm going for my second jab as what's the worst that can happen? Feeling crap and fatigued? I feel like that now so nothing to lose. Obviously I'll have to get a lift there as I don't drive when I feel this rubbish.

I hope you start to improve soonFlowers

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 29/03/2021 18:11

Just have the vaccine, it's the least troublesome option. I was very unwell after the first but had no symptoms after the 2nd one.

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