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

[neverlandsky]

I don't understand the point that you are trying to make? It sounds like you are saying that we should forego the medical advances that have been made over the last 100 years because ultimately the virus will burn out regardless?

Absolutely not. Yet medical advances also are made with those that choose to abstain or take a different path in regards to treatment and prevention. Protective measures work. They worked before for several months before the vaccine was made available. The vaccine is an optional booster to those protective measures already in place.

 

[FQLover]

If you fear that in 2030 most of us will be gone because of the vaccine and its dire consequences, won't it be lonely for you as someone who is "left?" And if you are not going to be vaccinated, why are you running around being "normal" as in the old days? I take that to mean that you do not wear a mask or socially distance, or avoid large crowds. That seems antithetical to me.

You are the first person I have heard say that they would rather take their chance with Covid than with the vaccine. I can't fathom that. I understand if you have a diagnosis of anxiety, or a phobia of needles or something like that, but it doesn't sound like that is it. You realize that most of the world will be gone if something catastrophic happens to humans who have had the vaccine.

 

[neverlandsky]

168 out of 700,000 fully vaccinated in Oregon. That's 0.024%. That's actually less than the 0.073% of Moderna's clinical trial. The more people that don't get the vaccine the less effective vaccines will be and the more likely a mutation occurs. Simply not getting the vaccine is not doing anything for science. You have to sign up for a trial to do that. And you don't get to choose what group you're in because knowing what group you're in will affect your behavior and thus the outcome.


How did Spanish Flu reach herd immunity? By cutting through entire populations unchecked and killing somewhere between 20 million and 60 million in the process, 700,000 of them in the U.S.
Is that what you're suggesting? Millions upon millions dead? That simply isn't an option.
No. Vaccines don't hinder herd immunity. Those refusing to get them hinder herd immunity.

With Oregon, the breakthroughs are new and just reported. We're in the infancy stage of breakthroughs. There's more to come. How forthcoming that information is, well time will only tell.

Currently with Covid, there are entire populations being unchecked and it's killing thousands in the current world we live in. Sad but true. This will be researched after the fact. So far 20% of the US is already vaccinated where other countries won't even reach 20% this year. That's a fact.

 

[prairie_girl]

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!!

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.

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.

My bad! I meant to say it’s not offered to women 60ish and under. I’ll edit my post to correct it.

 

[JLTraveling]

I was a bit nervous before my first Pfizer shot, and I'm a bit nervous for my second on Saturday. But I'm a lot more scared of Covid, and I trust the science and the scientists. Mostly I just hope I don't have crappy side effects. But if I do, I'll deal with it.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I also have anxiety about the vaccine. Got first shot moderna two months ago. It hurt alot..a tetanus s shot on steroids. But other than that it was okay

 

[Corien]

I am nervous too. I was supposed to get the AZ vaccine, but they stopped giving it to people under 60 now, but I was definitely nervous about it. Now I'm nervous about the fact that my appointment is going to be cancelled and I will have to wait to see which one I'm going to get now.

But I do get the nervousness. Every vaccine has some risks, but so has Covid. And I believe that the risk of getting serious complications due to the vaccine are much smaller than the chances of either dying or getting longterm complications from Covid.

 

[mrs. magoo]

With Oregon, the breakthroughs are new and just reported. We're in the infancy stage of breakthroughs. There's more to come. How forthcoming that information is, well time will only tell.

Currently with Covid, there are entire populations being unchecked and it's killing thousands in the current world we live in. Sad but true. This will be researched after the fact. So far 20% of the US is already vaccinated where other countries won't even reach 20% this year. That's a fact.

So you do realize that with H1N1 pandemic of 1918 - 1920 - 50,000,000 people died and during the 2nd wave from October 1918 to January 1919 the majority of those who died were young healthy teens and adults. They literally woke up in the morning with a stuffy nose and were dead by nightfall. I suggest you read The Great Influenza by John Barry. It is a heavy book but very good. I get the flu shot every year and my kids have gotten all their vaccines except the HPV. I leave that up to them to decide whether they want it or not. I had 3 friends who daughters got it who developed diabetes after the shot. We have a history of diabetes in my family. I also know that is probably anecdotal but it stuck in my head. In our family we have 3 Pfizer, 2 J&J and 1 Moderna and one who is waiting until she is home from college in May.

 

[MamaLema]

Everyone wants “normal” back, but it sometimes seems that believing it’s coming is delusional. They already say keep wearing masks, don’t travel, don’t visit, you can still pass it along, etc., etc., etc.. The thing is that when your overall risk from Covid is relatively low and yet the risk of the vaccine is totally unknown... it certainly takes a leap of faith.

I understand your point but with the new variants, I don’t think anyone’s risk is relatively low.

 

[luvsvacation]

If you fear that in 2030 most of us will be gone because of the vaccine and its dire consequences, won't it be lonely for you as someone who is "left?" And if you are not going to be vaccinated, why are you running around being "normal" as in the old days? I take that to mean that you do not wear a mask or socially distance, or avoid large crowds. That seems antithetical to me.

You are the first person I have heard say that they would rather take their chance with Covid than with the vaccine. I can't fathom that. I understand if you have a diagnosis of anxiety, or a phobia of needles or something like that, but it doesn't sound like that is it. You realize that most of the world will be gone if something catastrophic happens to humans who have had the vaccine.

I do not in any way fear that 10 years down the line everyone who got the vaccine will be gone. I fear it could cause unforeseen health issues later for some. I would much rather take my chances on a virus that I know only has severe effects on a very very small percentage. I have known at least 30 people (several elderly and several with underlying conditions) and not one has had a severe case or needed hospitalization. I understand that there are differences place to place and that for many the idea of loving normally seems completely unrealistic right now. In my area in the suburban Midwest life has been very normal. We’ve never had a mask mandate, some stores require them. We’ve been free to dine in doors with full capacity, gather with friend and family and socialize normally. My kids have been full time in person school (masks are required, but not quarantining for exposure). After living “normally” with the virus for the past year I feel completely comfortable and have no fear of it.

 

[MamaMermaid]

My mom and I got Pfizer. Hubby is getting round 1 of Moderna today. Yes, I'm nervous. But I'm choosing to trust that these scientists and doctors know what they're doing. That nothing nefarious is happening, etc.

 

[DeeBee3]

I totally get your reservations. I am same way but I did end up getting first dose of Moderna. Will see how I feel after 2nd dose. I would be more concerned with J&J especially after they halted production at the Baltimore plant where they also do Astra Zeneca. Also the most recent issue out West with adverse reactions (believe it was just yesterday).

Good luck whatever you decide! We are sorta all in this together as we hope to go back to a level of normalcy. I think we are closer than you think.

 

[DeeBee3]

I do not in any way fear that 10 years down the line everyone who got the vaccine will be gone. I fear it could cause unforeseen health issues later for some. I would much rather take my chances on a virus that I know only has severe effects on a very very small percentage. I have known at least 30 people (several elderly and several with underlying conditions) and not one has had a severe case or needed hospitalization. I understand that there are differences place to place and that for many the idea of loving normally seems completely unrealistic right now. In my area in the suburban Midwest life has been very normal. We’ve never had a mask mandate, some stores require them. We’ve been free to dine in doors with full capacity, gather with friend and family and socialize normally. My kids have been full time in person school (masks are required, but not quarantining for exposure). After living “normally” with the virus for the past year I feel completely comfortable and have no fear of it.

,

Your comments are SO important for people to read. Being from NY, my experience is the COMPLETE opposite of yours. Things are open now, of course, but everything is at reduced capacity and mask mandates. My kids JUST went back full-time this week.

If you don't live in an "open" area, you have no idea that it is possible to live life without a sense of dread. People are living with anxiety and I include myself in that. However, I have not known anyone in my family (far or wide) who had covid. I do know some friends of friends. Just interesting.

I "follow the science" and keep up on the county stats and the trends, etc.

The vaccine did lighten my load a bit and I do have a positive outlook for the year despite all the variants. People just need to be smart like always.

 

[Miromesnil75008]

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!

This is what I did, and I had zero side effects after either dose of Pfizer. I drank 100+ ounces of water for 2-3 days before, and then hydrated with watered down pedialyte the day of.

 

[HeatherC]

I was undecided for a long time about getting it for the exact same reasons OP stated. In the end, I did decide to go ahead and get the Pfizer one. I had my first shot two days ago and didn’t even feel it. My arm didn’t bother me at all and I feel like the flu shot is much worse after for me. My daughter and husband are going today and my other daughter got the J&J about a month ago.

In the end, I decided to trust the scientists who have been working around the clock to combat Covid. I don’t believe any of the stupid conspiracies that are floating around. I also truly believe things are in God’s hands and I just needed to make the most informed decision I could with the information I have at the time.

I also have never had any reaction to any vaccine and believe they save lives. Covid is just so unpredictable and I felt taking the vaccine was the right choice for me at this time. (I may feel different after my second dose if I get bad side effects), but in the end I think it was the right choice.

 

[HeatherC]

This is what I did, and I had zero side effects after either dose of Pfizer. I drank 100+ ounces of water for 2-3 days before, and then hydrated with watered down pedialyte the day of.

I also heard Vitamin C and Zinc can help as well....so plan to up my intake of those between now and my second shot. Figure it may do nothing, but can’t hurt.

 

[ronandannette]

My bad! I meant to say it’s not offered to women 60ish and under. I’ll edit my post to correct it.

I think your first version was pretty correct and you can blame the “moving target” for any confusion. The AZ is currently only being given to people between the ages of 55-64; men and women. I’m still teetering on the edge of my decision but I do want have my mind made up today. DH had his first yesterday and DS has his first next Tuesday (both Moderna).

 

[anniemae]

Yes, I am very nervous. I am afraid of an allergic reaction because I have a history of strange reactions to medicines and vaccines. I am afraid if I do one of the 2 shot series I will have a reaction and not be able to get the second, therefore not having good protection. I was settled on the J&J since it is. one shot, but then this morning the news of clinics shutting down due to adverse reactions to J&J made me very nervous.

 

[Dis Mtn Man]

Just get the vaccine; the life you save (including your own) could be someone close to you. My son-in-law's grandmother died from COVID which she contracted from a nephew who was asymptomatic. According to the available scientific data, you have a better chance of getting stuck by lightning then dying from some reaction to the COVID vaccination.

 

[RogueX]

Being nervous is understandable. I went for my first dose of Pfizer towards the end of February and had what my allergist described as a hyperactive reaction. My heart rate jumped and essentially I went into fight or flight.

I got an allergy test to ensure I didn't have an allergy to any of the components in the Pfizer and any that are in the J & J, which came back as negative.

The guidance for me to do before my 2nd Pfizer shot is for 5 days before my appointment, take an antihistamine and Pepcid, which apparently is another type of antihistamine. The day of, take them ahead of time, wait at the vaccination site for observation for 30 minutes and go home.