Vaccine - change of mind

[Silver saucer]

Last year I had said I'd wait and see.
By now I figure Id go for it so I had my first Moderna injection last week. Here's hoping for the best for us all!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I doubt it is the needles, a person can't even really feel them anymore, they are so sharp and thin. They maybe think they can feel them?

I usually can feel the needle on all vaccines. For the COVID shot, I felt the first one. It felt like something squeaking (rubbing) along something rubbery, and the vaccine going in was cold and it felt like a pinch. The second one I couldn't feel much, except soreness afterward.

I think the biggest difference was I was really cold (vaccine location was a parking structure and it was chilly out) so, maybe, my muscles couldn't relax enough, while the second time it was warmer out.

 

[disneychick0412]

What is it with all these husbands not wanting to get the vaccine???!!!?? I’m in the same boat - I’ve had both shots, DD will her 2nd shot next week. But DH won’t get it. He had no factual basis for not getting it. He just wants to “wait and see.” I was even able to get him an appointment when DD got hers. But still no. I’ve tried to reason with him using factual info, tried telling him that herd immunity will allow our kids to get their normal social lives back, sent him screenshots of his friends getting the shots. Nothing has worked. Yet he wants to go to DD’s in person graduation, celebrate with friends, and travel to Florida and New Orleans in the next few months. And he’s not that great about masking around friends. I think he’s insane to do all this without the vaccine. He’s putting our family and our financial future at risk.

Thankfully my DH was eager to get the vaccine. He has health conditions AND hadn't been able to step foot in his mothers house for over a year. She is in her 70's and has health conditions as well.
We went to see her this past Saturday since all 3 of us have had our vaccines at least 2 weeks ago and she hugged us soooo tight!!!

 

[Colleen27]

I think this winter did change some minds just because of how bad things got, particularly in places that hadn't seen many cases or deaths earlier in the pandemic. But in my circle, I haven't seen many changes. The one older relative that has been unwilling all along is still unwilling, though she's age-eligible to get it. The friends and relatives that were willing from the start are still willing. DH is still in a wait-and-see posture and somewhat concerned about the allergy issue, so he's hoping to hold out for the J&J shot rather than either of the MRNA vaccines. And I'm still a bit uncomfortable with the newness of the vaccine but resigned to getting it because I figure it'll be required for overseas travel.

Funny to go back and reread this post with the benefit of hindsight, because right around the time I posted it must have been when the reluctant relative I was describing had the first dose, based on when she posted that she'd gotten her second. DH did in fact hold out for J&J and got it just a few days before the pause. And no one else in my circle seems to be changing their minds, but then again, none were really opposed to it to begin with.

 

[usnuzuloose]

No I am not getting the shot period,

 

[JLTraveling]

What is it with all these husbands not wanting to get the vaccine???!!!?? I’m in the same boat - I’ve had both shots, DD will her 2nd shot next week. But DH won’t get it. He had no factual basis for not getting it. He just wants to “wait and see.” I was even able to get him an appointment when DD got hers. But still no. I’ve tried to reason with him using factual info, tried telling him that herd immunity will allow our kids to get their normal social lives back, sent him screenshots of his friends getting the shots. Nothing has worked. Yet he wants to go to DD’s in person graduation, celebrate with friends, and travel to Florida and New Orleans in the next few months. And he’s not that great about masking around friends. I think he’s insane to do all this without the vaccine. He’s putting our family and our financial future at risk.

Tell him we don't want him here in New Orleans without the vaccine Kidding mostly, but we've done SO well after our initial Mardi Gras outbreak, we have one of the highest vax rates in the country, and we're all terrified of tourists sparking another surge.

For myself, I was skeptical of Operation Warp Speed at the very beginning, just because it felt SO politicized. But within weeks, once I was able to do the research and see that they weren't cutting corners, I was ready to go. My turn finally came up, and I got my second shot a week and a half ago. So happy to be done!

 

[luv2cheer92]

In my experience, men are in general more hesitant to seek medical care and take care of themselves. It's the one area with dh that we butt heads on.

Fortunately, the men in my life from age 22 to 80 have eagerly gotten the vaccine with no issues.

This actually came up at a meeting at work today. At the hospital I work at, a large percentage of those hospitalized with Covid have been males. We talked about how women often have a tendency of taking care of themselves and seeking care earlier, likely leading to managing the symptoms earlier than males. I haven't spent much time looking at what the breakdown is nationwide or worldwide, but it was an interesting conversation.

Thankfully everyone in my department has been vaccinated, as has a large majority of the employees at the hospital.

 

[MamaLema]

I’m going the opposite way. I was all for it in the beginning and the longer I wait because I’m not eligible still, the more hesitant I’m becoming.

 

[leahgoogle]

Some people who are hesitant to get the vaccine actually have reasons. They may want to wait until the vaccine isn't under Emergency Use Authorization. Also, they may want to wait to make sure there isn't going to be antibody dependent enhancement when exposed to the wild virus, specifically the variants. Previous coronavirus vaccines failed in the animal trials when animals died when exposed to the wild virus. Long-term studies will show if this is an issue.

 

[summerlyangel]

My hair is falling out too. I know it could be worse, but it’s very upsetting seeing all that hair everywhere

It is so disturbing! I actually cut it all off into a chin length bob about 2 weeks ago. I've lost about 50% of my hair and it's still falling. I'm lucky in that I have curly hair so it doesn't look too bad with the new cut. But you can see my scalp now and and I'm definitely worried it's going to get much worse. I'm not vain, but I really didn't expect this to affect me so much!

I'm still grateful, though, that I'm doing pretty well otherwise and don't seem to have any lasting health issues, despite my moderately severe case. Then I worry because a family member developed a pulmonary embolism 5 months after covid. That is really scary to me!

 

[leahgoogle]

It is so disturbing! I actually cut it all off into a chin length bob about 2 weeks ago. I've lost about 50% of my hair and it's still falling. I'm lucky in that I have curly hair so it doesn't look too bad with the new cut. But you can see my scalp now and and I'm definitely worried it's going to get much worse. I'm not vain, but I really didn't expect this to affect me so much!

I'm still grateful, though, that I'm doing pretty well otherwise and don't seem to have any lasting health issues, despite my moderately severe case. Then I worry because a family member developed a pulmonary embolism 5 months after covid. That is really scary to me!

I would consider getting your thyroid, thyroid antibodies and adrenals checked. These hormones being off could contribute to this.

I hope your family member is ok! The pulmonary embolism is scary. It could have been a lingering effect from covid (I’m not sure how severe his case was), but also just something that happened and is not related. Try not to worry!

 

[adkkev]

Some people who are hesitant to get the vaccine actually have reasons. They may want to wait until the vaccine isn't under Emergency Use Authorization. Also, they may want to wait to make sure there isn't going to be antibody dependent enhancement when exposed to the wild virus, specifically the variants. Previous coronavirus vaccines failed in the animal trials when animals died when exposed to the wild virus. Long-term studies will show if this is an issue.

Can you provide a link to the source of these animal trials? And what exactly is “the wild virus “?

And of course those who are hesitant to get the vaccine have reasons. The question is ... what are the reasons based on? Facebook posts? YouTube videos? Political?

It would be great if a majority of the population gets the vaccine. It will go a long way towards getting this under control, just as previous vaccines like for polio and smallpox have done. To me that’s personal responsibility.

 

[leahgoogle]

Can you provide a link to the source of these animal trials? And what exactly is “the wild virus “?

And of course those who are hesitant to get the vaccine have reasons. The question is ... what are the reasons based on? Facebook posts? YouTube videos? Political?

It would be great if a majority of the population gets the vaccine. It will go a long way towards getting this under control, just as previous vaccines like for polio and smallpox have done. To me that’s personal responsibility.

https://www.pnas.org/content/117/15/8218#
This is a good article. It doesn't state that animals died in the trials (my mistake), but two infants did die from an RSV vaccine (also SARS) that was made.

The "wild virus" is covid-19 or it's variants that are circulating now (i.e. not a vaccine strain).

Reasons can be based on many things. People poo-poo Facebook, but there are some credible experiences there. YouTube too. Let's forget all that though for a second. Even in the absence of social media, I was able to make a decision based on facts and my risk tolerance to the virus.

1. This is a new technology for a vaccine that has never been used on humans before.....fact
2. There are no long term studies for this exact vaccine.....fact
3. I had covid and my symptoms were mild to the point I just thought it was a cold until I lost my sense of smell....fact
4. I now carry antibodies for the virus....fact (I was tested)

These four things alone were enough for me to decide to wait to get the vaccine (if I ever do get it). Others have different criteria and that is ok too. What bothers me is that anybody that wants to wait or is being cautious about getting the vaccine is picked apart and people are trying to change their mind. For some, the risk of side effects from the vaccine is higher than the risk of covid.

Oh, and small pox was a different beast. I touched on it on another thread. It had a 30% death rate. I have done my personal responsibility at this time by having covid and having antibodies. This allows me to wait and see how this vaccine works as time goes on.

 

[elaine amj]

https://www.pnas.org/content/117/15/8218#
This is a good article. It doesn't state that animals died in the trials (my mistake), but two infants did die from an RSV vaccine (also SARS) that was made.

The "wild virus" is covid-19 or it's variants that are circulating now (i.e. not a vaccine strain).

You do realize that the RSV vaccine trial that killed two children was done in the 1960s, right? https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSTRE4BM4SH20081223

I would hope medicine has come a long way since.

Regardless, I do understand there are reasons why someone is hesitant to get the vaccine. Especially if you have already had COVID-19 and feel reasonably protected against re-infection.

And even though I am pro-vaccine, I definitely understand it is not 100% effective and breakthrough infections do (rarely) occur. And no vaccine is 100% safe either.

So I took some time to compare the risks between virus and vaccine for each of us in my family. For us, the risks of the virus far outweighs the risks of the vaccine. And yet, I still acknowledge that in the majority of cases, getting covid is no more dangerous than the flu. I'm just not willing to play Russian Roulette with our lives. Most of us will be just fine, but too high a percentage will have far more serious problems.

 

[RamblingMad]

You do realize that the RSV vaccine trial that killed two children was done in the 1960s, right? https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSTRE4BM4SH20081223

I would hope medicine has come a long way since.

Regardless, I do understand there are reasons why someone is hesitant to get the vaccine. Especially if you have already had COVID-19 and feel reasonably protected against re-infection.

And even though I am pro-vaccine, I definitely understand it is not 100% effective and breakthrough infections do (rarely) occur. And no vaccine is 100% safe either.

So I took some time to compare the risks between virus and vaccine for each of us in my family. For us, the risks of the virus far outweighs the risks of the vaccine. And yet, I still acknowledge that in the majority of cases, getting covid is no more dangerous than the flu. I'm just not willing to play Russian Roulette with our lives. Most of us will be just fine, but too high a percentage will have far more serious problems.

The conversation has moved away from herd immunity. It seems unlikely. This article does a pretty good job of spelling out the challenges. It's not the best source it the world, but it's not a fringe one either.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...le-but-vaccines-can-control-covid/7139419002/

 

[leahgoogle]

You do realize that the RSV vaccine trial that killed two children was done in the 1960s, right? https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSTRE4BM4SH20081223

I would hope medicine has come a long way since.

Regardless, I do understand there are reasons why someone is hesitant to get the vaccine. Especially if you have already had COVID-19 and feel reasonably protected against re-infection.

And even though I am pro-vaccine, I definitely understand it is not 100% effective and breakthrough infections do (rarely) occur. And no vaccine is 100% safe either.

So I took some time to compare the risks between virus and vaccine for each of us in my family. For us, the risks of the virus far outweighs the risks of the vaccine. And yet, I still acknowledge that in the majority of cases, getting covid is no more dangerous than the flu. I'm just not willing to play Russian Roulette with our lives. Most of us will be just fine, but too high a percentage will have far more serious problems.

I totally respect your views. Our family did the same and for us the risks of side effects from the vaccine outweigh the risk of the virus. I just see a lot of judgement here when people come to the decision we have. We definitely don't feel like we are playing Russian Roulette with our lives. My husband was hospitalized with H1N1 and covid was nothing but a cold for him.

I'm aware the RSV was in the 1960's. It still happened and this vaccine is new technology never used on humans before. I'll wait, thanks.

 

[leahgoogle]

The conversation has moved away from herd immunity. It seems unlikely. This article does a pretty good job of spelling out the challenges. It's not the best source it the world, but it's not a fringe one either.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...le-but-vaccines-can-control-covid/7139419002/

I have read several places that this will become endemic and will weaken to be like a common cold. We will see how close to herd immunity we get.

 

[RamblingMad]

I have read several places that this will become endemic and will weaken to be like a common cold. We will see how close to herd immunity we get.

I haven't read anything about it getting weaker. I have read that it will remain prevalent in communities with low vaccination rates, which are pockets throughout the US. In some parts it's rural, and in other parts its urban. For example, the rural areas of AZ have higher vaccination rates than the metro areas. However, ID rural areas have much lower vaccination rates than their urban areas. NPR did a write up about this.

 

[AndreaA]

I haven't read anything about it getting weaker. I have read that it will remain prevalent in communities with low vaccination rates, which are pockets throughout the US. In some parts it's rural, and in other parts its urban. For example, the rural areas of AZ have higher vaccination rates than the metro areas. However, ID rural areas have much lower vaccination rates than their urban areas. NPR did a write up about this.

Generally speaking, viruses do get weaker, not stronger, as they mutate. They don’t benefit from killing or even seriously harming their host - less chance for continued “life” via transmission.

 

[antmaril]

I was skeptical in the very beginning when they started talking about a possible vaccine. I wasn’t sure I would go for it. As the months went by and I could see there was no way out of
this, I started entertaining the idea of a vaccine. I did my research and by the time I was eligible (in January), I couldn’t wait to get that needle in my arm. I got my second dose of Pfizer on February 18th and I had tears in my eyes. I have been fully vaccinated for a while now. I still wear a mask in public and do the right things, but it is huge relief to know that if I get the virus, I have a fighting chance to survive it.

Getting together with other fully vaccinated friends has been wonderful.