I've Been Vaccinated (No Politics Please)

[ronandannette]

@ronandannette, this was the question I grappled with yesterday. My thought is that I'm not sure the 55-59 age group is going to be offered the mRNA vaccines in the near future. In Ontario, we weren't scheduled to get vaccines until Phase 3. I was originally figuring on June/July sometime.

I think the next rollout will be the front line workers (teachers, grocery store workers, factory workers and hot spots). After that they will need the mRNA for those under 55 as AZ isn't recommended for them (at the moment). That will leave AZ or J&J (if it ever arrives) as options for those 55-59 and older if they haven't yet received their vaccine.

Those variants are causing a lot of conern. I'm not comfortable waiting until I can "maybe" get and mRNA when there are other options available today. Like Jacqueline said, Get out and get that jab, doesn't matter which one, just get it!

Just my thoughts.

I worried about getting the AstraZeneca as well but in my earlier post, I discussed what my doctors said. No, they don’t know any more than the info out there. However, they all mentioned that statistically, they are extremely safe. Obviously not helpful for the people who did get a clot. However, we all have so many other things that can cause us harm as they mentioned....eating too much junk, being overweight and we don’t worry so much about those things.

All of the vaccines we have now are reported to offer some protection from the variants. For me, I would like to be protected now, while cases of those aren’t too high. Once you get Covid, you have it. Then it’s too late to worry about it.

I totally understand your concern. You have to do what is right for you. Just remember that more and more people are reaching out to the pharmacies for appointments so you may not get any vaccine for a while. Good luck with your decision.

First I would think about what your main concern is. If it’s level of protection, well that all offer a good level of protection. If it’s the blood clots, I suggest you look up the risk of blood clots when taking birth control pills. Then compare that to the risk of blood clots with the vaccine. You will see the vaccine has a much lower risk then birth control. I’m not saying you should take that vaccine. But look up that actual number for yourself and then decide. The media is really overhyping the risk.

Thank you all for your thoughts. I have literally zero concern about blood clots or other sever side effects; the chances of problems are very, very slim. My entire issue is the reduced efficacy, especially against variants. The AZ provides reduced protection against the UK and Brazil variant and very little proven protection against the South African variant, according to everything I have read. The mRNA vaccines are unequivocally superior in that regard. Taking the AZ now means not getting the "better" vaccine later (projected to be available in late-May here) and that is the crux of the decision.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Thank you all for your thoughts. I have literally zero concern about blood clots or other sever side effects; the chances of problems are very, very slim. My entire issue is the reduced efficacy, especially against variants. The AZ provides reduced protection against the UK and Brazil variant and very little proven protection against the South African variant, according to everything I have read. The mRNA vaccines are unequivocally superior in that regard. Taking the AZ now means not getting the "better" vaccine later (projected to be available in late-May here) and that is the crux of the decision.

That's my thinking, too. However, since the AZ one can't be given to the lower age groups, I worry that they'll just skip the 55-64 age group for offering Pfizer/Moderna and just move on to the lower age groups for those vaccines, leaving AZ as the only choice for anyone 55-64 until maybe as much as Sept. That's all speculation, though.

 

[vegs1]

Thank you all for your thoughts. I have literally zero concern about blood clots or other sever side effects; the chances of problems are very, very slim. My entire issue is the reduced efficacy, especially against variants. The AZ provides reduced protection against the UK and Brazil variant and very little proven protection against the South African variant, according to everything I have read. The mRNA vaccines are unequivocally superior in that regard. Taking the AZ now means not getting the "better" vaccine later (projected to be available in late-May here) and that is the crux of the decision.

Here are a couple of reports on the efficacy from variants. They don’t show unequivocal superior protection and the pharmacist I spoke with said the same. I don’t know myself as I am not a vaccine specialist. My doctor forwarded me the reports below.

https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/...hing-you-need-to-know-about-covid-19-vaccines
https://globalnews.ca/news/7738789/covid-p1-brazil-variant-explained/

In the pharmaceutical journal, the Pfizer efficacy was reduced 2.6 fold while AstraZeneca was 2.9 fold. Slim differences.

In the global news report, if you scroll down they cover the variants. It says that Pfizer and Moderna were reduced but still effective against the P1 which is apparently the most concerning. Early studies on AstraZeneca showed it was effective against the P1 but probably in the same way as the others.

The pharmacist said they worry a lot about people thinking one is better than the other when, in fact, if you haven’t gotten any, you are at risk for not only covid but it’s variants also.

 

[TammyLynn33]

So Tuesday was my first shot and yesterday I had a headache and was tired . Arm was sore ( better today ) today I’m just tired !!

And yes I can confirm shingles are a close second to childbirth . Baby #4 came on a Sunday and shingles came the Tuesday am. Soon enough to compare the two and too soon to take much .. luckily it was fairly mild but still awful if that makes sense at all..

 

[Donald - my hero]

this is a great video to watch if you're trying to decide which vaccine is the best one for you to get jabbed with, one of the mRNA or the AZ (and eventually the J&J whenever it arrives) please take the time to watch it, it's a clear explanation about efficacy rates and actual protection that all of the vaccines provide.
Which Vaccine is the Best

 

[ottawamom]

OMG fabulous video. Everyone should watch it. WATCH THE VIDEO IN JACQUELINES POST ABOVE

 

[FigmentSpark]

Good video. I wish it had said something about when the AZ trial was done and where, in comparison.

 

[juniorbugman]

My brother and I both have spots on Tuesday in Ajax via the Ajax Health Network.

 

[mort1331]

Very very good video.....
EXCEPT I told my wife one of the side efdects of Moderna, which I got she got pfizer, was EXTREME INCREASE IN LIBIDO.
Its worked so far...but if she shes that video she wont believe me. Its worked so well for now.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Good video. I wish it had said something about when the AZ trial was done and where, in comparison.

I heard just this morning on one of the news channels that Pfizer & Moderna did trials last summer and AZ in the fall. They were explaining why that made a difference in the outcomes but I was multitasking at the time and couldn’t devote 100% attention to what was being said

 

[OnceUponATime15]

My brother and I both have spots on Tuesday in Ajax via the Ajax Health Network.

At Audley Recreation Centre?

 

[juniorbugman]

At Audley Recreation Centre?

Yes you too?

 

[Donald - my hero]

Good video. I wish it had said something about when the AZ trial was done and where, in comparison.

it didn't discuss the AZ vaccine since it's not approved for use in the USA.(the video was produced there) Personally I think the information can be applied to any of the vaccines, both those we have now and the ones still in trial. If you don't have identical conditions, number of participants, etc then you truly can't compare the results and say one is better than any of the others. As they mentioned, the primary goal of a vaccine for COVID-19 is to ensure that no one gets sick enough to need hospitalization and ALL of them do that. That is amazing and we are lucky to be able to get any, there are parts of the world that have no idea when they'll have anything available.

I apologize if I'm coming across as argumentative, not my intention at all. Just sharing what I can to help people make an informed decision.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Yes you too?

I was done at McKinney Arena in Whitby on Tuesday Lakeridge Health/Durham Public health.

I was very impressed with how smoothly it went and how easy it was from start to finish.
I did the covid screening online before I got there & just had to show my phone with the confirmation when I arrived.. saved a step in the process.

 

[juniorbugman]

I did the covid screening online before I got there & just had to show my phone with the confirmation when I arrived.. saved a step in the process.

I won't be able to do the screening online part because my cell phone doesn't work so I can't show them anything on my phone.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I won't be able to do the screening online part because my cell phone doesn't work so I can't show them anything on my phone.

From watching the people in front of me doing the screening in person - it was quick

 

[Disneylover99]

My brother and I both have spots on Tuesday in Ajax via the Ajax Health Network.

I thought I got Tuesday in Pickering. I was so excited, I forgot to hit the submit button and then timed out and lost it. So my husbands going without me. Lol.

But it’s okay. I managed to get Wednesday. I’m thankful. I have friends who were shut out this evening.

 

[juniorbugman]

I thought I got Tuesday in Pickering. I was so excited, I forgot to hit the submit button and then timed out and lost it. So my husbands going without me. Lol.

But it’s okay. I managed to get Wednesday. I’m thankful. I have friends who were shut out this evening.

I was on at 6 on the dot and it said wait time 19 minutes, then it changed to 31 minutes and I was freaking out and all of a sudden it was book your time so I guess it was less than 10 minutes. I had 2 different internet windows open(1 chrome and 1 internet explorer) so once I found my time I selected the same time for my brother then went back and filled out my form and finished his.
Glad you managed to get a time.

 

[hdrolfe]

Good video. I wish it had said something about when the AZ trial was done and where, in comparison.

I just watched a video from CBC National that explained basically the same thing as the one Donald posted, it said basically the same thing but included the detail about AZ being tested in the fall, it also gave the updated efficacy rates for the 4 approved in Canada, I think AZ went up to 81%. Someone had shared it on facebook and I think this is it https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1880969283645 if the link works.

Forgot to add, it speaks to the delay between shots too (it improves the efficacy on the AZ).

 

[ottawamom]

Thanks, @hdrolfe, another great video (one with a Canadian perspective). EVERYONE WHO IS ON THE FENCE SHOULD WATCH THIS VIDEO AS WELL.

I go for my shot on Sunday and I am now solidly in the get whatever vaccine they offer you camp. I hope those under 55 won't have much longer to wait.