Yesterday, I was contacted by the medical centre where I was on a list for Covid-19 vaccination, informing me that I can now get vaccinated by them. I confirmed with them that it would be the AstraZeneca vaccine that would be used, and therefore declined to be vaccinated at this time. Although the specific side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine are rare, I decided that they are too serious to put myself at risk, hoping that I might get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at some point in the future.

What do you think?

KJW said:

Yesterday, I was contacted by the medical centre where I was on a list for Covid-19 vaccination, informing me that I can now get vaccinated by them. I confirmed with them that it would be the AstraZeneca vaccine that would be used, and therefore declined to be vaccinated at this time. Although the specific side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine are rare, I decided that they are too serious to put myself at risk, hoping that I might get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at some point in the future.

What do you think?

That’s a decision which we’re fortunate to be able to contemplate in this country.

There’s plenty of other places where it’d be ‘give it to me, and give it to me now, i don’t care about the brand’, because not having it ASAP carries by far the greater risk.

captain_spalding said:

KJW said:

Yesterday, I was contacted by the medical centre where I was on a list for Covid-19 vaccination, informing me that I can now get vaccinated by them. I confirmed with them that it would be the AstraZeneca vaccine that would be used, and therefore declined to be vaccinated at this time. Although the specific side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine are rare, I decided that they are too serious to put myself at risk, hoping that I might get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at some point in the future.

What do you think?

That’s a decision which we’re fortunate to be able to contemplate in this country.

There’s plenty of other places where it’d be ‘give it to me, and give it to me now, i don’t care about the brand’, because not having it ASAP carries by far the greater risk.

Yes, I do feel very fortunate to be in this country. It is however a pity that there is this thorn in the vaccination program, particularly for over 50s.

KJW said:

Yesterday, I was contacted by the medical centre where I was on a list for Covid-19 vaccination, informing me that I can now get vaccinated by them. I confirmed with them that it would be the AstraZeneca vaccine that would be used, and therefore declined to be vaccinated at this time. Although the specific side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine are rare, I decided that they are too serious to put myself at risk, hoping that I might get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at some point in the future.

What do you think?

You’re rolling dice and the odds shifted and not in your favour.

(I still haven’t got my astrazeneca but in the next week or three I should be able to get it a the local medical centre more easily) (than asking someone with no transport to travel.))

No, seriously, i’m well over 50, have to get my jab soon, and i’ll go A-Z if that’s the soupe du jour.

Without knowing your specific health situation, and me not being a doctor, I’m unable to answer.

Some things to think about:
Further Availability of brands of vaccines
Risk of AZ side effects vs risk of catching Covid (incl chance of death, long-Covid symptoms, passing to vulnerable community members etc)
Future travel plans

Divine Angel said:

Further Availability of brands of vaccines

Well, I’m hoping that Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will become available to me eventually. It seems to me that the restriction of over 50s to the AstraZeneca vaccine is economically based more than anything else.

Divine Angel said:

Risk of AZ side effects vs risk of catching Covid (incl chance of death, long-Covid symptoms, passing to vulnerable community members etc)

Based on my lifestyle, I consider my risk at catching Covid-19 to be relatively low. Thus, even the low risk of what is a serious side-effect looms large in my mind.

Divine Angel said:

Future travel plans

None.

I’m booked in for the AZ vaccine Tuesday week.

I’ll be driving about 3km to the doctor, which is a significant risk, but I reckon it’s worth it.

sibeen said:

I think we will all probably be waiting for the next one anyway. There will probably be boosters for the variants and all.

sibeen said:

word

Some genius has contributed a quick breakdown here / in the other thread, https://tokyo3.org/forums/holiday/posts/1740676/ where it says things like

Epidemiologists are urging Australians over the age of 50 not to wait for alternatives to the AstraZeneca vaccine, warning of a “false sense of security” about the risks still posed by COVID-19. “It’s important that people understand that it’s kind of a false sense of security that we can keep the virus out indefinitely and that we have this luxury of time,” she said. “The most important thing we can do is get as many people vaccinated as we can so that should the virus get into the community we are still able to contain it.”

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-21/experts-urge-over-50s-to-get-astrazeneca-covid19-vaccine/100154574

We disagree with the premise and suggest that in a choice between

• waiting 6 months for a safer vaccine, being prepared to take more restrictive measures for local reelimination as required until then, and
• rushing full steam ahead for what the evidence indicates is a less effective, less safe vaccine so that in that 6 months we can still spread disease to under-16s and not kill them but expose them to high risks of chronic disease

then aside from the selfish considerations making the first option better, the less selfish option remains the first anyway.

It’s important that people understand that it’s a true sense of security that we can keep the virus out if we manage quarantine well (remember other pest introductions or lack thereof) and therefore we have this luxury of time. The most important thing we can do is get as many people vaccinated with effective and safe vaccines as we can. Should the virus get into the community we are already able to contain it, and vaccines will help, but old fashioned test trace isolate still works fine, and will be able to prevent lockdown if done well.

and following that

of course on top of (1.) people are free to choose the currently available vaccine and still be prepared to take more restrictive measures for local reelimination as required until the safer vaccine is available, and then take that too.

KJW said:

Divine Angel said:

Further Availability of brands of vaccines

Well, I’m hoping that Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will become available to me eventually. It seems to me that the restriction of over 50s to the AstraZeneca vaccine is economically based more than anything else.

Divine Angel said:

Risk of AZ side effects vs risk of catching Covid (incl chance of death, long-Covid symptoms, passing to vulnerable community members etc)

Based on my lifestyle, I consider my risk at catching Covid-19 to be relatively low. Thus, even the low risk of what is a serious side-effect looms large in my mind.

Divine Angel said:

Future travel plans

None.

I’ll be getting the AZ because the quicker we get our numbers up the quicker we can start slowly opening up to countries like the US and UK who’s vaccines are working a treat.
By the way vaccines wont stop you getting the virus, actually that’s when the vaccines do their job, they stop you getting crook from it but there will be exceptions just like the flu. In a normal year 2000 Australians die from the flu.
I’ve got no problem with you wanting to wait as long as there are not too many of you.

sibeen said:

fortunately that does seem more representative of the situation we have here

Today I am two weeks out from my fluvax. So now I can accept a COVID vax when it is offered. I’m on the list. But I will not be prioritized ahead of people at more risk than me. And there are still quite a lot of those in this district. Older, sicker or more disabled in some way. And the number of vials of vaccine being sent out is quite low.

KJW said:

Yesterday, I was contacted by the medical centre where I was on a list for Covid-19 vaccination, informing me that I can now get vaccinated by them. I confirmed with them that it would be the AstraZeneca vaccine that would be used, and therefore declined to be vaccinated at this time. Although the specific side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine are rare, I decided that they are too serious to put myself at risk, hoping that I might get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at some point in the future.

What do you think?

If you want the Pfizer vaccine find a hospital that is using it and turn up late in the afternoon an hour or so before they shut. They usually have left over doses from people not turning up and will give you a vaccine rather than chuck it out
Mrs Cymek works at a hospital helping with the vaccinations and got me the Pfizer one as they had leftovers.

Cymek said:

KJW said:

Yesterday, I was contacted by the medical centre where I was on a list for Covid-19 vaccination, informing me that I can now get vaccinated by them. I confirmed with them that it would be the AstraZeneca vaccine that would be used, and therefore declined to be vaccinated at this time. Although the specific side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine are rare, I decided that they are too serious to put myself at risk, hoping that I might get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at some point in the future.

What do you think?

If you want the Pfizer vaccine find a hospital that is using it and turn up late in the afternoon an hour or so before they shut. They usually have left over doses from people not turning up and will give you a vaccine rather than chuck it out
Mrs Cymek works at a hospital helping with the vaccinations and got me the Pfizer one as they had leftovers.

Thanks for the tip. :-)

KJW said:

Cymek said:

KJW said:

Yesterday, I was contacted by the medical centre where I was on a list for Covid-19 vaccination, informing me that I can now get vaccinated by them. I confirmed with them that it would be the AstraZeneca vaccine that would be used, and therefore declined to be vaccinated at this time. Although the specific side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine are rare, I decided that they are too serious to put myself at risk, hoping that I might get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at some point in the future.

What do you think?

If you want the Pfizer vaccine find a hospital that is using it and turn up late in the afternoon an hour or so before they shut. They usually have left over doses from people not turning up and will give you a vaccine rather than chuck it out
Mrs Cymek works at a hospital helping with the vaccinations and got me the Pfizer one as they had leftovers.

Thanks for the tip. :-)

Your welcome

Cymek said:

KJW said:

Cymek said:

If you want the Pfizer vaccine find a hospital that is using it and turn up late in the afternoon an hour or so before they shut. They usually have left over doses from people not turning up and will give you a vaccine rather than chuck it out
Mrs Cymek works at a hospital helping with the vaccinations and got me the Pfizer one as they had leftovers.

Thanks for the tip. :-)

Your welcome

YOU“RE

sibeen said:

Cymek said:

KJW said:

Thanks for the tip. :-)

Your welcome

YOU“RE

Please forgiveness

Cymek said:

sibeen said:

Cymek said:

Your welcome

YOU“RE

Please forgiveness

nice quote

Had my first AZ jab today.

Neophyte said:

Had my first AZ jab today.

Have your download speeds increased?

sibeen said:

Neophyte said:

Had my first AZ jab today.

Have your download speeds increased?

Neddles had hers last week and has spent the last seven days in bed, mostly. Has not reacted well at all…projectile vomiting that makes Mr Creosote look like an amateur.

Neophyte said:

sibeen said:

Neophyte said:

Had my first AZ jab today.

Have your download speeds increased?

Neddles had hers last week and has spent the last seven days in bed, mostly. Has not reacted well at all…projectile vomiting that makes Mr Creosote look like an amateur.

Cripes. Is this one of the known side effects?

Neophyte said:

sibeen said:

Neophyte said:

Had my first AZ jab today.

Have your download speeds increased?

Neddles had hers last week and has spent the last seven days in bed, mostly. Has not reacted well at all…projectile vomiting that makes Mr Creosote look like an amateur.

ooo. :(

sibeen said:

Neophyte said:

sibeen said:

Have your download speeds increased?

Neddles had hers last week and has spent the last seven days in bed, mostly. Has not reacted well at all…projectile vomiting that makes Mr Creosote look like an amateur.

Cripes. Is this one of the known side effects?

It went with her chills and fever, migraine-strength headaches, aching muscles, dehydration and exhaustion…she had some blood taken on Wednesday to check that she wasn’t going completely off the rails…luckily she’s been picking up in last 36 hours.

Neophyte said:

sibeen said:

Neophyte said:

Neddles had hers last week and has spent the last seven days in bed, mostly. Has not reacted well at all…projectile vomiting that makes Mr Creosote look like an amateur.

Cripes. Is this one of the known side effects?

It went with her chills and fever, migraine-strength headaches, aching muscles, dehydration and exhaustion…she had some blood taken on Wednesday to check that she wasn’t going completely off the rails…luckily she’s been picking up in last 36 hours.

Phew.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Neophyte said:

sibeen said:

Cripes. Is this one of the known side effects?

It went with her chills and fever, migraine-strength headaches, aching muscles, dehydration and exhaustion…she had some blood taken on Wednesday to check that she wasn’t going completely off the rails…luckily she’s been picking up in last 36 hours.

Phew.

headaches are one of the symptoms to go back to the doctor…

sarahs mum said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Neophyte said:

It went with her chills and fever, migraine-strength headaches, aching muscles, dehydration and exhaustion…she had some blood taken on Wednesday to check that she wasn’t going completely off the rails…luckily she’s been picking up in last 36 hours.

Phew.

headaches are one of the symptoms to go back to the doctor…

She went to the doc’s on Tuesday, which is why she did the blood thing on Wednesday…someone from SA Health also rang then to make sure she was sufficiently OK to stay home.

For all that, she reckons that if she knew then what she’d be in for, she’d still do it.

Neophyte said:

sarahs mum said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Phew.

headaches are one of the symptoms to go back to the doctor…

She went to the doc’s on Tuesday, which is why she did the blood thing on Wednesday…someone from SA Health also rang then to make sure she was sufficiently OK to stay home.

For all that, she reckons that if she knew then what she’d be in for, she’d still do it.

Trooper :)

I’ve had DVT in both legs and my haematologist has warned me that I have an increased risk of thrombosis, so I’m a trifle leery of the AZ vax — even though the statistics are actually not particularly bad. My GP wants me to get the fluvax first anyway (probably next week.)

That’s my situation, but I can’t comment for anyone else.

Neophyte said:

Had my first AZ jab today.

Good news!

:)

Neophyte said:

sibeen said:

Neophyte said:

Had my first AZ jab today.

Have your download speeds increased?

Neddles had hers last week and has spent the last seven days in bed, mostly. Has not reacted well at all…projectile vomiting that makes Mr Creosote look like an amateur.

Not good. Seen a doctor about it?

Seriously. Not trying to worry you, but:

Bad stomach is one of the symptoms of the AZ blood-clot syndrome.

Neophyte said:

sibeen said:

Neophyte said:

Neddles had hers last week and has spent the last seven days in bed, mostly. Has not reacted well at all…projectile vomiting that makes Mr Creosote look like an amateur.

Cripes. Is this one of the known side effects?

It went with her chills and fever, migraine-strength headaches, aching muscles, dehydration and exhaustion…she had some blood taken on Wednesday to check that she wasn’t going completely off the rails…luckily she’s been picking up in last 36 hours.

Phew.

Neophyte said:

sarahs mum said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Phew.

headaches are one of the symptoms to go back to the doctor…

She went to the doc’s on Tuesday, which is why she did the blood thing on Wednesday…someone from SA Health also rang then to make sure she was sufficiently OK to stay home.

For all that, she reckons that if she knew then what she’d be in for, she’d still do it.

Good on her.

Less than 8 hours ago I booked Astrazeneca vaccinations fo mrs m and me.

I’ve been holding off until those in greater need of vaccination have been given a chance to go first. I don’t really need it, but since mrs m is in retail sales and a stage show and two chiors she defintiely needs to be on the high priority list. No-one over 55 is allowed Pfizer.

Laura Tingle, ABC News:

‘In Australia, only one person — a 48-year-old woman — has died from the AstraZeneca vaccine, and she had other serious medical issues. That is, clotting is rare and can make you very sick but in countries with good healthcare, it doesn’t kill healthy people.’

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-22/if-public-has-vaccine-hesitancy-government-strategy-hesitancy/100154798

“Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), an unusual blood clotting disorder, has been associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In terms of assessing the risk of TTS associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine for over 50s, we’ve always known the risk is very low.

In Australia it’s estimated this syndrome occurs in six per million people vaccinated, on average, with the risk even lower for those over 50. This is about the same as your risk of serious injury from being struck by lightning in a year in Australia.

Importantly, as we’ve got better at detecting and treating this condition, the likelihood of severe outcomes from TTS have come down considerably. So the rare risk of serious illness from this syndrome looks to be even rarer than we first thought.

To put TTS into perspective, it’s also useful to note we see around 50 blood clots unrelated to TTS every day in Australia.”

https://theconversation.com/im-over-50-and-hesitant-about-the-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-should-i-wait-for-pfizer-161283

fsm said:

To put TTS into perspective, it’s also useful to note we see around 50 blood clots unrelated to TTS every day in Australia.”

https://theconversation.com/im-over-50-and-hesitant-about-the-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-should-i-wait-for-pfizer-161283

This is a point i tried to put across the other day.

Blood clots are not, by any means, something new.

As the number of vaccinated people rises, there’s bound to be an increased number of them who would have been in the ‘around 50 a day’ cohort even if they hadn’t had the vaccine.

Correlations will increase, but correlation is not causation.

captain_spalding said:

fsm said:

To put TTS into perspective, it’s also useful to note we see around 50 blood clots unrelated to TTS every day in Australia.”

https://theconversation.com/im-over-50-and-hesitant-about-the-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-should-i-wait-for-pfizer-161283

This is a point i tried to put across the other day.

Blood clots are not, by any means, something new.

As the number of vaccinated people rises, there’s bound to be an increased number of them who would have been in the ‘around 50 a day’ cohort even if they hadn’t had the vaccine.

Correlations will increase, but correlation is not causation.

TTS clots are nowhere near as common as non TTS clots.

captain_spalding said:

fsm said:

To put TTS into perspective, it’s also useful to note we see around 50 blood clots unrelated to TTS every day in Australia.”

https://theconversation.com/im-over-50-and-hesitant-about-the-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-should-i-wait-for-pfizer-161283

This is a point i tried to put across the other day.

Blood clots are not, by any means, something new.

As the number of vaccinated people rises, there’s bound to be an increased number of them who would have been in the ‘around 50 a day’ cohort even if they hadn’t had the vaccine.

Correlations will increase, but correlation is not causation.

Yeah. we heard you.

poikilotherm said:

captain_spalding said:

fsm said:

To put TTS into perspective, it’s also useful to note we see around 50 blood clots unrelated to TTS every day in Australia.”

https://theconversation.com/im-over-50-and-hesitant-about-the-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-should-i-wait-for-pfizer-161283

This is a point i tried to put across the other day.

Blood clots are not, by any means, something new.

As the number of vaccinated people rises, there’s bound to be an increased number of them who would have been in the ‘around 50 a day’ cohort even if they hadn’t had the vaccine.

Correlations will increase, but correlation is not causation.

TTS clots are nowhere near as common as non TTS clots.

that’s a good ppoint.

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

fsm said:

To put TTS into perspective, it’s also useful to note we see around 50 blood clots unrelated to TTS every day in Australia.”

https://theconversation.com/im-over-50-and-hesitant-about-the-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-should-i-wait-for-pfizer-161283

This is a point i tried to put across the other day.

Blood clots are not, by any means, something new.

As the number of vaccinated people rises, there’s bound to be an increased number of them who would have been in the ‘around 50 a day’ cohort even if they hadn’t had the vaccine.

Correlations will increase, but correlation is not causation.

Yeah. we heard you.

My work here is done.

Swings up into the silver-embellished saddle of his golden-maned mount. The horse rears up in a salute as CS waves his Stetson to the adoring crowd, and then they gallop off towards a blazing sunset.

The End.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

This is a point i tried to put across the other day.

Blood clots are not, by any means, something new.

As the number of vaccinated people rises, there’s bound to be an increased number of them who would have been in the ‘around 50 a day’ cohort even if they hadn’t had the vaccine.

Correlations will increase, but correlation is not causation.

Yeah. we heard you.

My work here is done.

Swings up into the silver-embellished saddle of his golden-maned mount. The horse rears up in a salute as CS waves his Stetson to the adoring crowd, and then they gallop off towards a blazing sunset.

The End.

Hi Ho Silver , you forgot Hi Ho Silver and away, says Tonto.

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Yeah. we heard you.

My work here is done.

Swings up into the silver-embellished saddle of his golden-maned mount. The horse rears up in a salute as CS waves his Stetson to the adoring crowd, and then they gallop off towards a blazing sunset.

The End.

Hi Ho Silver , you forgot Hi Ho Silver and away, says Tonto.

Well, i’m not going back just to shout that. I’d look silly.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

My work here is done.

Swings up into the silver-embellished saddle of his golden-maned mount. The horse rears up in a salute as CS waves his Stetson to the adoring crowd, and then they gallop off towards a blazing sunset.

The End.

Hi Ho Silver , you forgot Hi Ho Silver and away, says Tonto.

Well, i’m not going back just to shout that. I’d look silly.

‘sok I did it for you.

It ain’t a silver bullet but it’ll do.

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Hi Ho Silver , you forgot Hi Ho Silver and away, says Tonto.

Well, i’m not going back just to shout that. I’d look silly.

‘sok I did it for you.

It ain’t a silver bullet but it’ll do.

Here’s one for you:

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

This is a point i tried to put across the other day.

Blood clots are not, by any means, something new.

As the number of vaccinated people rises, there’s bound to be an increased number of them who would have been in the ‘around 50 a day’ cohort even if they hadn’t had the vaccine.

Correlations will increase, but correlation is not causation.

Yeah. we heard you.

My work here is done.

Swings up into the silver-embellished saddle of his golden-maned mount. The horse rears up in a salute as CS waves his Stetson to the adoring crowd, and then they gallop off towards a blazing sunset.

The End.

Front Row Cowboy

I’ve had the first dose of the AZ vaccine over 10 weeks ago. We were originally expected to get the Pfizer, but then they decided that since they suddenly had a heap of the AZ, and our smaller hospital doesn’t have the facilities for the supercold storage, and has succeeded in remaining covid free, we may as well roll it out- I said yes as soon as it was offered and got the shot the same day. One of my workmates opted for the Pfizer as she’s planning for pregnancy; she had to go over to the bigger hospital in our healthcare system- but now she’s already had both doses. (3 weeks between Pfizer doses vs 12 weeks between AstraZeneca). I’m over 50. I did have a reaction the following day, but I’m still keen to get the 2nd dose. My mum still doesn’t know when she’ll be able to even get the first dose.
I accept that the risk of serious health issues from the disease itself outweighs the risk of a serious side effect from the vaccine. The rollout _feels frustratingly slow and disorganised to me.

badchap said:

I’ve had the first dose of the AZ vaccine over 10 weeks ago. We were originally expected to get the Pfizer, but then they decided that since they suddenly had a heap of the AZ, and our smaller hospital doesn’t have the facilities for the supercold storage, and has succeeded in remaining covid free, we may as well roll it out- I said yes as soon as it was offered and got the shot the same day. One of my workmates opted for the Pfizer as she’s planning for pregnancy; she had to go over to the bigger hospital in our healthcare system- but now she’s already had both doses. (3 weeks between Pfizer doses vs 12 weeks between AstraZeneca). I’m over 50. I did have a reaction the following day, but I’m still keen to get the 2nd dose. My mum still doesn’t know when she’ll be able to even get the first dose.
I accept that the risk of serious health issues from the disease itself outweighs the risk of a serious side effect from the vaccine. The rollout _feels frustratingly slow and disorganised to me.

One of the slowest and most frustrating worldwide.