Worried about getting the vaccine

[Rc123467]

I have got to have my first vaccine this week and I’m honestly more scared about death from this than covid. I’m in my 30s also have thrombophillia. I just feel like everyone says the statistics and risks are low but these numbers are people they’ve still died from this vaccine ? Is it really safe when it’s all been so rushed , things in the media lately have really scared me.

Just speak to your doctor about your condition in relation to the vaccine. Hopefully there will be reassurance and advice there.

Agree speak to your doctor and remember if you are not comfortable now then you can wait . It is not mandatory .

Definitely speak to your GP. It's not a decision to be made lightly and it will be good to understand your personal risks from suffering badly from covid versus your risks from having an adverse reaction to the vaccine. Both depend on health weight age etc.
Also important to mention that there are warning signs for clots etc , most can be sorted quickly and if you are an anxious person then you will likely notice these issues. Again the GP will likely provide guidance.

Finally some vaccines may be more suitable for you than others.

It's a difficult personal choice but information is power . Good luck

I am unfamiliar with the medical condition you mentioned OP. Presumably you may have a consultant, what do they say about taking the vaccine? Also is there a charity/society for your condition that you could speak to about your concerns? Good luck, make the right decision for you.

Doing something quickly is not the same thing as it being ‘rushed’. The vaccines have gone through all the same steps that any other approved vaccine would, just the will, necessity and money behind it has meant it’s been quicker than usual.

There's no rush for you, take the time to ask your GP or consultant if you're concerned so that you can get a direct medical opinion. A vaccine will still be available in a week or two when you've got that reassurance. Thrombophilia isn't considered a risk factor for any of the vaccines, you might find this site useful: thrombosisuk.org/news/post.php?s=2020-03-20-blood-clots-thrombosis-and-covid-19.

@Rc123467

I have got to have my first vaccine this week and I’m honestly more scared about death from this than covid. I’m in my 30s also have thrombophillia. I just feel like everyone says the statistics and risks are low but these numbers are people they’ve still died from this vaccine ? Is it really safe when it’s all been so rushed , things in the media lately have really scared me.

Are you in the UK? It looks like that's a clotting illness, and in most places including the UK now you wouldn't be getting the vaccines associated with clotting risks at your age?

Not that you're not entitled be scared by it anyway.

Do remember that they're not rushed in terms of the steps they've been through. They've been through the same process every other vaccine we have has - they just didn't sit around having to wait for funding or sit in an inbox with low priority or any of the other stuff that drags out the usual process.

@CautiousBlonde

Message deleted by MNHQ

Not the case. If you have clotting disorder you are far, far more likely to be affected by the multiple blood clots associated with having Covid than from the vaccine.

OP you will be offered an appropriate vaccine for you. I had already had first dose of AZ when the blood clot risks came out. I discussed it before second dose but was advised even with slightly higher risk it was better to get 2nd dose as more likely to get blood clots with covid. Obviously I was going en signs and symptoms to look out for. I would rather if I did get clots it was not whilst my body was also fighting off a covid infection.

IT HAS NOT BEEN RUSHED.

Fof the love of God, why can’t people understand this. The reasons it’s been done so quickly is there’s been no waiting around for funds, resources and approvals.

@CautiousBlonde please don’t post rubbish like this

. Um. Sorry but yes it did skip out some 'normal' safety steps - that's cos it's an emergency and we desperately wanted and needed it - I am glad it did miss those steps so it could be with us sooner.

Normal licensed vaccines are tested on animals for 2 years, then there's 3 phases of human testing - often for about 10 years, their initial reaction, the longer term effect on immune system , and the long term effects on immune system and body.

There is clearly misinformation being spread on every side of this.

As above, I am glad they were able to rush it through. And I have had my first jab. But to say it's gone through all the exact same safety steps as other licensed vaccines is plain wrong.

@LibertyRose

. Um. Sorry but yes it did skip out some 'normal' safety steps - that's cos it's an emergency and we desperately wanted and needed it - I am glad it did miss those steps so it could be with us sooner.

Normal licensed vaccines are tested on animals for 2 years, then there's 3 phases of human testing - often for about 10 years, their initial reaction, the longer term effect on immune system , and the long term effects on immune system and body.

There is clearly misinformation being spread on every side of this.

As above, I am glad they were able to rush it through. And I have had my first jab. But to say it's gone through all the exact same safety steps as other licensed vaccines is plain wrong.

No it didn’t

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/distributing/steps-ensure-safety.html

Normal licensed vaccines are tested on animals for 2 years, then there's 3 phases of human testing - often for about 10 years, their initial reaction, the longer term effect on immune system , and the long term effects on immune system and body.

This is correct. AZ/Oxford even state as much on their stage 3/4 trialists consent forms. Animal testing is still ongoing. Last sentence in attached screenshot.

I think you should speak to your gp or consultant, not good idea to ask on MN. We don't know who are behind the user names, we don't know who is speaking from kindness or malice.
Take a time to decide, as MRex says, you can still have it later if you wanted later.

Only you can make that decision. Hold off, Do your research and then decide. No point getting all worked up about it. Just do what makes you feel comfortable

@roguetomato

I think you should speak to your gp or consultant, not good idea to ask on MN. We don't know who are behind the user names, we don't know who is speaking from kindness or malice. Take a time to decide, as MRex says, you can still have it later if you wanted later.

This is absolutely correct. You will get a million different answers from people trying to bully you into one way or another. This is your own choice and no one else's

@Aposterhasnoname - yes, the US source you have sent says "no steps have been skipped" but this is because the longer term effects are to be monitored for safety alongside the mass roll out, instead of before its authorisation.
I personally am fine with this, under the emergency/covid situation, as it is an educated position that the vaccines will do more good than harm. But this is not the usual order of vaccine licensing.

Also @Rc123467 , like PPs, I do think you must speak to your own GP about this. It's a very nuanced situation and although it may be that the vaccine will be beneficial to you, an educated medic with your own medical history in front of you should help you decide what to do whilst considering the whole position .

then there's 3 phases of human testing - often for about 10 years, their initial reaction, the longer term effect on immune system , and the long term effects on immune system and body

Your post suggests that clinical trials last for up to 10 years before a product can be licensed and launched. That's not quite correct.

The long-term phase of trials (phase 4) take place AFTER the product has been licensed for use. This happens with every new medicine and is happening with all the vaccines. You don't seem to truly understand the process.

@LibertyRose this is a good explanation of trial phases.

www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-a-clinical-trial/what-clinical-trials-are/phases-of-clinical-trials

@youshouldbeplotting
Thank you for the link, I note that it is mainly focussed on cancer treatments rather than vaccinations. I know less about cancer treatment trials so can't comment on how similar the procedure is - but I assume very similar in the UK.

May I please in turn send you the following link which is from GSK and about vaccines in general (not specifically covid). In particular please note the statements that phase 3 can often last several years, although there is lots of relevant information there.

www.gsk.com/en-gb/research-and-development/trials-in-people/clinical-trial-phases/

I note that it is mainly focussed on cancer treatments rather than vaccinations. I know less about cancer treatment trials so can't comment on how similar the procedure is

@LibertyRose you need to understand that the phases of clinical trials are the same for any new medicine. The cancer drugs example is just a particularly clear explanation of how the system works.

Re: your link. GSK says:

Phase III trials may last several years. If a new medicine or vaccine completes phase III with positive results, we may seek regulatory approval to make it available in a range of countries or regions

As has been pointed out many times on this thread and others, phase III trials may (note GSK say may not will) indeed often last years, but this is for reasons such as stop-start funding and other administrative reasons (staffing etc.). None of these issues have applied to the vaccines, because every resource has been thrown at them.

By the way, I do definitely understand the process - true,I haven't worked on regulatory approval for these new MRNA vaccines but my husband still does (although their treatments for covid are in extremely early stages and certainly not ready for approval yet).

I have worked (many moons ago now tbf!) On various 'traditional' vaccines, and clinical trials surrounding the same was on the outskirts of some of my roles.

I do fully appreciate that this doesn't make my opinion any more valid, especially as I'm behind a keyboard and might be lying anyway.

But I have noticed a wilful twisting of information by the various forms of media reporting on these new vaccines. Articles which predate 2020 tend to be more informative about the various steps for regulatory approval than those that follow the pandemic. I believe this is to increase public confidence as this is an emergency situation. I understand this, particularly as I think data around most of the vaccines looks very good. But it isn't correct to say that the long term safety has been assessed in the same way as other treatments which have been authorised in the past.

Does the trial process for vaccines differ @LibertyRose? Can you link to something to explain, please?