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Original poster

To feel envious toward my friends getting their vaccines

102 replies

lifeisbutadreamer · 18/05/2021 10:53

I’m 37 and had my first vaccine 7 weeks ago, unpaid carer.

Since the news of the blood clots I feel totally put off by having my second jab.

What’s even more frustrating is now seeing my friends all getting texts to have their jabs and they’re booked in for Pfizer.

I was so happy when I got my vaccine, it took a huge weight off of my shoulders and relieved the constant worry of having severe Covid.

Now I feel a huge weight from the decision of having a second vaccine.

All of my friends are so happy to be getting their vaccine and none of them have this added worry of a potential serious side effect.

I know people will compare the risk of being on the pill, driving to the vaccination centre, or flying etc.. but I feel those comparisons just aren’t relevant here.

It would be like saying your friends can go on an aeroplane that has no known risk of crashing but you can go on one that we know does crash and we’ve told your friends not to go on it because it’s too much of a risk to them... Confused

I feel really really envious of people I know right now and I could kick myself for being so willing to take up the offer of my vaccine.

OP posts:
bookworm1632 · 18/05/2021 12:16

@Cookerhood

You're not wrong. There's a concerted effort that's remarkably obvious, esp when they're mostly newly created accounts.

gamerchick · 18/05/2021 12:17

AstraZeneca still carries a higher risk of a blood
clot and the benefits of this particular vaccine do not outweigh the risks for my age group

What's the risk for Pfizer out of interest. Have you looked it up?

I've had the AZ, I get my second dose next week. Not really sure the dismissive stuff is fact tbh.

purplehulahoop · 18/05/2021 12:17

what @WaterBottle123 says....

CustardyCreams · 18/05/2021 12:23

It isn’t irrational to worry about this risk as long as you worry in proportion about all the other risks in your life. Do you generally worry about all the risks in your life and compare your good fortune or otherwise to the friends around you? I’m going to guess not.

Anyway the only thing that matters is deciding, will you get the second dose or not? Because if not, then you can stop worrying and be glad you’ve got at least some protection from the first dose. And maybe you’ll get a different jab when there’s a booster later in 2021 or 2022.

And if you ARE going to have the second dose, then on the off-chance that you are one of the four people out of every million people in their 30’s who will die of a clot due to the vaccine, do you want to spend your last weeks on earth fretting about it? No you don’t.

I think you need to get a firm grip of yourself, make your decision one way or the other, and stop yourself from dwelling on this.

JackieTheFart · 18/05/2021 12:25

How do your friends know what they’re getting?

I’ve just checked the emails and text messages I got and none of them say which I’ll be getting? Not even mentioned.

I think you’re being silly as well. You’re more likely to die in a car accident getting to your appointment than you are to get a blood clot and then die from it.

Original poster
lifeisbutadreamer · 18/05/2021 12:27

@WaterBottle123

OP just spend two minutes imaging how envious an Indian person is of you, if that doesn't cure you of this bizarre, rather ungrateful attitude nothing will.
@WaterBottle123

I find this really frustrating.

People are allowed to be concerned / worried about a risk to them, and shouldn’t be made to feel guilty for this, especially for reasons like this one.

OP posts:
Original poster
lifeisbutadreamer · 18/05/2021 12:28

@JackieTheFart

How do your friends know what they’re getting

It tells them on the texts they have received.

OP posts:
ChloeCrocodile · 18/05/2021 12:31

Your friends may be having Pfizer / Moderna now, but they have had to wait. That means they had risk from COVID (much higher than any of the vaccines) for a longer time than you. It is worth remembering that the risk from COVID is higher than the risk from any of the vaccines, even for younger people. If it wasn't, they wouldn't be allowing those under 40 to have their second dose. In order of risk:

  • COVID
  • Mixing doses (potentially, the studies are ongoing)
  • AZ
  • Pfizer / Moderna (AFAWK)

I'm in my 30s and due a vaccine. I would absolutely take AZ if offered it.

ooonicorn · 18/05/2021 12:33

I'm in the same boat as you and worried about my second in a few weeks. I guess it is what it is and I'd rather take the risk and be fully vaccinated. The side effects were horrendous though Si that's making me nervous

Lindy2 · 18/05/2021 12:38

You've had the benefit of being protected from Covid before your friends. I expect they are envious of that, especially with the Indian variant and the fact their protection will still take a number of weeks to build up even after their vaccinations.

You are already at an advantage.

Your fear is out of proportion to the minuscule risk. Get your second vaccine and make sure you have the full level of protection.

ChloeCrocodile · 18/05/2021 12:39

People are allowed to be concerned / worried about a risk to them, and shouldn’t be made to feel guilty for this, especially for reasons like this one.

To be fair, your OP isn't just about the risks to you. You are comparing your situation to that of other people. Which means it is reasonable of other posters to do the same.

WaterBottle123 · 18/05/2021 12:39

@lifeisbutadreamer

Yes they are. BUT THIS RISK IS TOO SMALL TO BE CONSIDERED AN ACTUAL RISK.

Honestly you're being totally unreasonable. Get your second jab and be grateful. You literally have no idea how intensely privileged you are.?

WaterBottle123 · 18/05/2021 12:40

Oh and for the record we're the same age and I've had AZ, I'm excited to get my second.

Hallyup6 · 18/05/2021 12:41

Snap, late 30s and had the az in April. I keep telling myself the risk is miniscule and I was alright after the first one, but it still worries me. I'll probably still have the second one though, encouraged by my mum. Doesn't help that my husband thinks I'm an idiot for having the vaccination in the first place because he won't be having it due to his "wonderful immune system" 🙄.

Onceuponatime1818 · 18/05/2021 12:42

You’ve had 7 weeks extra protection than others your age, blood clots would have happened by now and none after second dose. Personally; I would be grateful and not give it another second thought.

I’m 32 and would happily take the az tomo; I’m in a school teaching 150 teens a day!

Crispychillibeef · 18/05/2021 12:47

You're not going to get a blood clot.

nordica · 18/05/2021 12:48

I totally understand your concern about AZ and I'm glad I was able to get Moderna.

However as others have said, I'm also slightly envious of friends my age (in the 35-40 age range) who had their first vaccines way ahead of our age group. Lots of people I know seem to be having their 2nd jabs this week or next. I only had my first last week. That means they are fully vaccinated about 3 months before I have any protection from mine (as it takes a few weeks to build immunity). My 2nd dose isn't due until end of July and who knows what the situation will be like then with the Indian variant spreading fast.

WhyIsMyKitchenSoCold · 18/05/2021 12:50

I think Chloe’s post is helpful, OP. You are ahead of them in terms of vaccination schedules and will be fully protected sooner. As Covid is still the bigger risk, with cases rising again that is the best outcome.

Gottobefree · 18/05/2021 12:51

Theres more risk of a blood clot while taking birth control than having the AZ vaccine....

Chloemol · 18/05/2021 12:54

If you had no reaction to the first dose it’s highly unlikely there will be a reaction to the second

And Pfizer also has issues with blood clots

whyisitsohardtogetausername · 18/05/2021 12:54

Direct from MHRA
Up to and including 31 March 2021, the MHRA had received 79 UK reports of blood clotting cases alongside low levels of platelets following the use of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca:

44 of the 79 cases were of CVST with thrombocytopenia
35 of the 79 cases were of thrombosis in other major veins with thrombocytopenia
79 cases occurred in 51 women and 28 men, aged from 18 to 79 years. It should be noted that more women have been vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca than men.
Sadly, 19 people have died out of the 79 cases – 13 females and 6 males. 11 out of the 19 people who died were under the age of 50, 3 of whom were under 30. 14 of these 19 cases were of CVST with thrombocytopenia and 5 were of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia.
All 79 cases occurred after a first dose of the vaccine.
This risk, based on reports up to and including 31 March, is slightly higher than the risk calculated from the reports published up to and including 24 March. However, likelihood of these blood clots occurring is still extremely rare.

All after 1st dose - have your second jab

Crispychillibeef · 18/05/2021 12:55

Also, I'm 31 and have a blood clot right now (not vaccine related, but still chose to get vaccinated)

It's not as scary as it sounds.

Beckyboo123 · 18/05/2021 12:56

Completely agree with @gamerchick isn’t it funny how the vaccine that’s been made and sold at cost price so not for profit is the one that is getting completely slated when the vaccines that are very expensive and raking in millions of pounds are just completely ignored in the media. I guarantee you that you are in just as much risk with Pfizer or Modena as with AZ.
I think you would be very stupid to not get your second vaccination on the basis that there is a very slim chance you might develop a clot. There is risk with ALL vaccines, don’t get caught up in the propaganda.
I am 38, I had my first jab of AZ in March and will definitely be having my second.

ForThePurposeOfTheTape · 18/05/2021 13:02

If it makes you feel better look up the side effects of Pfizer/Moderna. There is a clot risk but it's a different type of clot.

Neonprint · 18/05/2021 13:11

I understand. I have had both my AZ vaccines. Just had my second about 3 weeks ago. I have underlying health conditions so at 35 got mine early in Feb.

I got absolutely roasted on here for verbalising these concerns. With one poster telling me I bet I regretted jumping the queue now. So I lo understand that there not loads of sympathy. With people telling you that it's a very low risk and you will be fine.

That's very likely. But for the people who got blood clots it's no difference how small the risk was it happened to them. For me it fel like after if had my first vaccine they were then changing the risk and I didn't feel safe.

Having said that I decide to go ahead with the second dose. But it was a very anxiety filled few weeks afterwards. Overall I felt the second dose risk was low and although I was really worried (I have a diagnosed anxiety disorder anyway) I felt it was worth it.

But it certainly changed from the elation of the first dose to something which I had to get on and worth through.