Just as my life was starting to feel normal ...

[cottondotty]

I became a mum last year, 6 weeks before the first lockdown.
Shortly after I was diagnosed with postnatal anxiety (which after therapy was actually PTSD)

I’ve had a really tough year (which I know we all have)
My maternity leave was really lonely, I felt isolated and I slipped into a really depressive state.

I returned to work in December but was working from home.

In March I received a text from my Gp telling me I was eligible for my vaccine, turns out that I was group 6 due to a high BMI.
I was elated, I felt such a sense of relief and jumped at the change to be vaccinated, I had my first dose.

That was 9 weeks ago, in those 9 weeks, I’ve returned to the office once a week (work from home the other two)
I’m in a support bubble with my parents (they’re fully vaccinated and we all test twice weekly)
I’ve joined baby groups and met some lovely mum friends.
I’ve been shopping, eaten out, and I’ve had a weekend break camping.
It’s been like a dream, and my mental health has been amazing, all because I’ve felt safer, protected by having the vaccine.

I’ve obviously been cautious and followed guidelines but I’ve had the confidence to do these things rather than stay at home and fear Covid.

Today, after seeing the news about the age restrictions and the vaccine, I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach.😭

I’m 36 and I had the AZ vaccine.

My only health condition is obesity.

I jfeel like I was just starting to feel “normal” (definitely more normal than I have felt for the last year) and now this is happening.

I don’t know what to do. I’ve absolutely loved how I’ve felt recently, and the vaccine has given me the confidence to enjoy things within the guidelines. but I just don’t know if I can take the chance with the 2nd dose of the vaccine.

If I wasn’t fat I wouldn’t be offered the AZ.

I don’t know what to do.

@TheOrigRights it's not that people under 40 won't be given AZ, it's that people under 40 will be able to opt for a different vaccine. As they are at a much lower risk from covid and possibly a very slightly increased risk of blood clots, the vaccine committee feels its reasonable to offer an alternative. They would rather people had a choice they were more comfortable with rather than refuse to be vaccinated completely. It will slow down the vaccine roll out, but as under 40s are lower risk of serious illness from covid that isn't a huge concern.

Really it depends on how each person feels about the conflicting risks. I'd imagine a 35 year old working from home would be happier delaying vaccine a little longer than a 39 year old working as a teaching assistant.

The risk is after the first dose not the second

You are high risk for COVID because of your weight. You need the second dose. There isn’t any risk. If you are worried speak to your GP or health visitor.

You have had your first dose, it’s been fine, so will your second

There is a risk from the vaccine, it's miniscule, but still a risk. We shouldn't sugar-coat the issue and need to put it into perspective. As others have pointed out, the risk of blood clots, strokes, heart attack, pulmonary embolism from the contraceptive pill is higher but many of us don't give it much thought because the benefit outweighs the risk.
(Before I get jumped on, I am fully aware of the difference between a DVT and VITT)

The only person that can decide if it's worth the risk, is you.

But the risk is so so small for a second dose it’s not a risk ! Something very very very very tiny isn’t really there. You have disproportionately blown up the risk in your head to being there. It’s not sugar coating it’s the truth.

Healthy under 40s will be now be offered a different vaccine because of a cost/benefit analysis related to AZ. Being in group 6 the cost benefit of having AZ is still very in your favour, millions of under 40s with health issues, HCPs, Carers etc have had AZ and will still have the 2nd dose. I'm taking my sister tommorow (who I make medical decisions for due to learning disabilities and other health issues) for her 2nd dose of AZ and feel entirely comfortable with the risks.