Am I the only one NERVOUS about the vaccine? And I’m very PRO-VAX

[kanerf]

Got both Moderna shots. No more impact than a regular flu shot, just a little pain at the injection site for a few days. In any population there will be a few people that do not tolerate the vaccine had have a adverse reaction to it. The vast majority of people will not be affected. The one thing I do know is that for someone in my age group and comorbidities the COVID-19 virus could be fatal.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The only thing I'm nervous about is half my friends have felt icky after the 2nd dose. I get my 2nd dose tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to feeling like crap for the weekend if I'm one of the unlucky ones.

Here’s hoping you don’t get a bad reaction. I felt chills for no more than two hours.

 

[RamblingMad]

See, and yet the EU and GB are limiting AZ to those OVER 60/30 respectively because the clotting issues seem to be primarily in younger women. How can one make a rational decision when everyone is advising something different?

You have to look at the data and make a choice with what's available. We're lucky in the US to have so many choices.

 

[prairie_girl]

See, and yet the EU and GB are limiting AZ to those OVER 60/30 respectively because the clotting issues seem to be primarily in younger women. How can one make a rational decision when everyone is advising something different?

I think we're saying the same thing. It is not available, in Canada, to women under 60ish because of the clotting issue.

 

[AndreaA]

The risk of what from Covid is low? Death? That's not the only possible outcome. Nearly a third of people are experiencing neurological side effects from infection. People are dealing with all kinds of crazy lingering syndromes, as happens with every other virus known to man.

Throughout vaccine history, there have been no well established definitive links between vaccines and long term negative side effects like you see with actual viral infections in many, many cases. Vaccines are definitively safer than the potential effects of the viruses and bacteria they protect us from. I take solace in that. I've probably received a few dozen inoculations in my life and I'm still here living. So are you. I spent the last year worried to pieces that I would be dealt an unlucky hand with Covid and end up dead. I have never felt that way about any other virus. The vaccine couldn't come fast enough for me. I was nervous at my first shot because I spend WAY too much time reading stuff online and I was also convinced I'd be one of those statistical outliers and experience an adverse event. I had a mini panic attack 5 minutes after the needle went into my arm. I worked through it mentally and was fine.

New technology doesn't need to be scary. Scientists and doctors are not out to wipe out humanity. The development of these vaccines was undertaken with the goal of saving lives, at the end of the day.

Make an appointment, take a support person if necessary, and get that shot. We will ALL be able to get back to living faster if everyone steps up here.

Life is a big unknown. You don't know what is in your future, health wise or otherwise. If 10 years down the line you develop some crazy health issue and it is linked to the vaccine, are you really going to care? Or are you going to be happy you got to experience the last 10 years and didn't become a Covid statistic?

I have to say that this whole post was SO reassuring. I suffer from anxiety and actual diagnosed OCD (unlike people who see uneven books and say “ooh, I’m so OCD, I couldn’t stand thatT!) and have had several outlier health issues - My autoimmune thyroid condition was first diagnosed as lupus because my symptoms were so severe. I had a routine myomectomy (fibroids) that should have taken an hour - it took 4 hrs and i needed an transfusion. I had a textbook beautiful twin pregnancy following IVF, scheduled c-section of healthy 8lb and 7lb boys and then I was the one stuck in the hospital for TWO WEEKS literally hooked up to the wall to try to keep my stomach drained and get my intestines working again.

Shockingly covid is the one thing I HAVEN’T freaked out about and my obgyn who has seen me thru so much says it’s because I’ve grown to have a healthier risk assessment - First, we’ve always taken good precautions, second, I’m low-risk, and third, I fear the unknown more than something I can possibly fight. And injecting something into your body pretty much ends any “fight”. It’s done, and whatever is going to happen is going to happen, and that’s SCARY!

My husband will be going with me, and I think that will certainly help me.

 

[DLgal]

See, and yet the EU and GB are limiting AZ to those OVER 60/30 respectively because the clotting issues seem to be primarily in younger women. How can one make a rational decision when everyone is advising something different?

I wouldn't take the AZ vaccine either. I have a history of clots. Thankfully we have options here.

 

[AndreaA]

I think we're saying the same thing. It is not available, in Canada, to women under 60ish because of the clotting issue.

Ahh! In your first post I think you just had a typo because you said, “Canada has held off on offering the AZ vaccine to any female over the age of 64, give or take a year or two.” Sadly, I would not have been surprised given how different countries are dealing with it!!

 

[Ginger R]

I received the pfizer vaccine...just did my 2nd dose yesterday. Before the 1st dose I was very nervous for the reasons you stated. Once everything was fine with that one I was ok. Then I started getting a little nervous about the 2nd dose but really only because I was afraid of the worse side effects of 2nd doses. Luckily, I only really ended up with a nagging headache that lasted into late this morning and my arm hurt all night. I was thankful I didnt end up with anything more than that. All that to say I totally understand why people are nervous about it. I was too. Good luck everyone

 

[SarahC97]

I've heard about how "new" this vaccine is a lot, but that's not really accurate. The mRNA tech has been used in cancer vaccine trials since at least 2011. Once we were given the genomic sequence of COVID, it was just slipped into existing tech. The vaccine isn't new, the virus is. If there was a problem with the technology, we'd know by now.

I get my 2nd Pfizer vaccine next week. Can't wait to be fully vaccinated.

 

[Southernmiss]

I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Fully vaccinated 2 weeks ago with Pfizer. No issues. Daughter is 19 has lupus, 2nd vaccine today. So far no issues. The feeling of not worrying about catching covid is so freeing. Like weights being lifted.

There's discussion that viruses like Epstein Barr may cause both thyroid and lupus issues. It would have been amazing to have a preventative vaccine for these lifelong issues

No way did I want to add Covid complications or long haul symptoms to our already unusual autoimmune symptoms.

Normalcy is returning already and rapidly to areas with good vaccine rates. All of the popular vacation places are going to be packed this summer. Our church had almost normal crowds for Easter, with masks.

College campuses are planning a regular, normal fall semester.

 

[cjlong88]

I think it's totally normal to feel anxious. I was nervous about what side effects I might have after the first and second shot, but I wasn't nervous about whether or not the vaccine was safe. The scientists who developed these vaccines don't just throw something together and shove it in people's arms willy nilly. They are held to the highest levels of scientific rigor and must pass multiple phases of research and trials order for their vaccine to be approved, even if it's approved via emergency authorization. The vast majority of the population has no conceivable idea as to how thorough and detailed the approval process actually is.

I hope everything goes okay and you have a positive experience!

 

[DLgal]

I have to say that this whole post was SO reassuring. I suffer from anxiety and actual diagnosed OCD (unlike people who see uneven books and say “ooh, I’m so OCD, I couldn’t stand thatT!) and have had several outlier health issues - My autoimmune thyroid condition was first diagnosed as lupus because my symptoms were so severe. I had a routine myomectomy (fibroids) that should have taken an hour - it took 4 hrs and i needed an transfusion. I had a textbook beautiful twin pregnancy following IVF, scheduled c-section of healthy 8lb and 7lb boys and then I was the one stuck in the hospital for TWO WEEKS literally hooked up to the wall to try to keep my stomach drained and get my intestines working again.

Shockingly covid is the one thing I HAVEN’T freaked out about and my obgyn who has seen me thru so much says it’s because I’ve grown to have a healthier risk assessment - First, we’ve always taken good precautions, second, I’m low-risk, and third, I fear the unknown more than something I can possibly fight. And injecting something into your body pretty much ends any “fight”. It’s done, and whatever is going to happen is going to happen, and that’s SCARY!

My husband will be going with me, and I think that will certainly help me.

Right there with you with the anxiety and the history of weird health/medical issues. I had a gout attack that hospitalized me with excruciating pain at age 19. 19! Who gets gout at 19? had three surgeries before the age of 8. I suffer from both migraine and IBS that is often debilitating. I had a pulmonary embolism at age 33 after 2 weeks on birth control pills to try and control my migraines. I had the craziest labor with my first son that they had to medically stop because my uterus almost ruptured from the intensity of the contractions. I ended up with an emergency c section when I developed a high fever a few hours later. I was born with a heart condition and had myocarditis twice after viral infections in childhood. I have been to the ER way too many times. I am absolutely cursed when it comes to medical stuff. I was firmly convinced that Covid would at LEAST hospitalize me. I have 2 special needs kids and I am terrified of dying young while they still need me. It's sometimes a suffocating kind of anxiety.

But now that I have my first shot down and am getting the second on Saturday, I feel SO much better mentally. I no longer fear Covid the same way and that has been absolutely freeing.

 

[ronandannette]

Canada has held off on offering the AZ vaccine to any female over the age of 64, give or take a year or two. I just got the ok from my dr today to get a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine even though I have an anaphylactic allergy. Hopefully within a month or so I will hit the age requirement and I can book my appointment. J&J is not available in Canada at the moment.

Perhaps the use of AZ is different province-to-province? Here in Alberta it is only available to people between the ages of 55-64 without underlying health conditions. As of this past Monday, it is freely available at pharmacies on a walk-in basis. The catch? AZ is the only vaccine available to people in that age group for an indefinite period of time. Pfizer and Moderna are available on a by-year-of-birth and special groups basis only. DH had his first dose of Moderna this morning. I'm just over the line (by 7 days) of being able to get AZ but I'm very, very torn.

See, and yet the EU and GB are limiting AZ to those OVER 60/30 respectively because the clotting issues seem to be primarily in younger women. How can one make a rational decision when everyone is advising something different?

I have absolutely no qualms about any of the vaccines from a safety perspective. The odds are humongously against having a bad outcome - driving to work is probably riskier. My concerns are all about efficacy against the variants and the fact that if I accept AZ now, I will be giving up the chance of getting Pfizer or Moderna when they do become available.

 

[DisneyLover83]

I feel the same way, I am not anti-vaxx nor did I even delay any vaccinations for my daughter. Where I live I am eligible and there is a surplus of vaccinations. There are hundreds of available appointments everyday....I have not went and got mine yet.... I'll get there maybe. Everyone is different.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Truthfully, no, which is surprising given that I have diagnosed medical anxiety. But I did my research and saw the technology isn’t actually new. And while we don’t know long term effects of the vaccine, we ARE seeing what the virus can do and that does terrify me. And remembering that correlation doesn’t equal causation and so far the vaccine has been extremely safe.

That said, I wouldn’t get the AZ one. The blood clotting issue would have be over analyzing any & all side effects. I would have gotten any of the 3 currently offered in the US, but am glad I got the Pfizer. A little nervous about side effects after dose 2, but that’s because I don’t enjoy feeling sick and I have 4 kids at home.

 

[emer95]

Truthfully, no, which is surprising given that I have diagnosed medical anxiety. But I did my research and saw the technology isn’t actually new. And while we don’t know long term effects of the vaccine, we ARE seeing what the virus can do and that does terrify me. And remembering that correlation doesn’t equal causation and so far the vaccine has been extremely safe.

That said, I wouldn’t get the AZ one. The blood clotting issue would have be over analyzing any & all side effects. I would have gotten any of the 3 currently offered in the US, but am glad I got the Pfizer. A little nervous about side effects after dose 2, but that’s because I don’t enjoy feeling sick and I have 4 kids at home.

I heard that drinking a lot of water (more than usual) a few days before your 2nd dose helps a lot with side effects. My friend told me that but I had already had my shot. I told my daughters about it, and they had no side effects after their 2nd dose other than a sore arm. Definitely worth trying!

 

[NAB]

See, and yet the EU and GB are limiting AZ to those OVER 60/30 respectively because the clotting issues seem to be primarily in younger women. How can one make a rational decision when everyone is advising something different?

Yeah this one scares me too. I’m 58 and can get it right now but scared too so waiting for my age to come up in our area. They are finally at 60+ as of today.

I’m in Ontario so we are under stay at home orders for 4 weeks starting today so I can wait it out.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Getting my 2nd Pfizer shot tomorrow and looking forward to it. I much rather deal with feeling icky for a couple of days then deal with the chance of getting a bad case of covid. I have known a few people that had a bad case of covid and were hospitalize, with one almost not making it. Not only were they in the hospital for awhile, now their dealing with the hospital bills.

 

[NAB]

You have to look at the data and make a choice with what's available. We're lucky in the US to have so many choices.

Plus they get their second shot on time we have to wait 4 months for our second shot since we have no supply here in Canada .

 

[EveDallas]

... but these shots are just so new, and new technology really whichever one you choose.

I was all set to get the J&J, but then the clotting issue with the Astra Zeneca really came out and they are the same type of vaccine (viral vector, J&J uses human, AZ uses chimp adenovirus)

Then there are the bleeding/clotting issues from the Pfizer vaccine - one doctor dead, several others with the same symptoms (thankfully okay now) with no telling what long-term results will be going forward.

And I keep trying to think, “well, millions of vaccines, there are bound to be issues” but with the AZ it actually comes down to 1 in 250,000 and that’s before you calculate that it’s mainly women having the issue which means the rate could be closer to 1 in 100,000.

At what point do risks outweigh returns? I’m THRILLED that my parents are vaccinated, but SO anxious about my own and absolutely not getting my young kids vaccinated for a GOOD long time.

Please don’t bother posting conspiracy crap that’s only going to rile people up. I’m trying to work through my anxiety, by hearing experiences from others, not ramp it up.

I would MUCH rather take a chance with the vaccine than Covid.