Covid booster injections

[Buckman]

We have both been invited to have the booster within the next week, but OH is quite concerned about having the booster. Two years ago just after the daughter having the initial covid injection we lost the daughter to a brain haemorrhage and it seemed that it could have been a result of the injection as others had similar issues and also passed on. Difficult to prove if it was the injection or not.

Last year OH went for the booster injection and within less than two weeks she had to be admitted to hospital rather urgently. Since then OH has been in and out of hospital 5 times in the past year. OH now suffers from blood clots in her leg and a dropped right foot although OH was the most active one in the family taking dogs for walks each day and being constantly busy doing things.. Obviously OH is now very reluctant to go for another booster injection in view of what has happened previously.

Whilst no one can answer our personal dilemma or make a decision for us, will you be having the booster injection as I am also debating about it although I have never suffered any ill effects from the injections in the past?

 

[otherclive]

We have both been invited to have the booster within the next week, but OH is quite concerned about having the booster. Two years ago just after the daughter having the initial covid injection we lost the daughter to a brain haemorrhage and it seemed that it could have been a result of the injection as others had similar issues and also passed on. Difficult to prove if it was the injection or not.

Last year OH went for the booster injection and within less than two weeks she had to be admitted to hospital rather urgently. Since then OH has been in and out of hospital 5 times in the past year. OH now suffers from blood clots in her leg and a dropped right foot although OH was the most active one in the family taking dogs for walks each day and being constantly busy doing things.. Obviously OH is now very reluctant to go for another booster injection in view of what has happened previously.

Whilst no one can answer our personal dilemma or make a decision for us, will you be having the booster injection as I am also debating about it although I have never suffered any ill effects from the injections in the past?

My BIL had his booster a week ago no side effects. I know that the Oxford Astra Zeneca seemed to fall out of favour as there were a very low number of clot issues particularly in younger people. All our family have had the Pfizer. Not made my mind up yet wrt having the spring booster. My inclination is to eke out the timeline to delay it a while, then be ready for the autumn booster late in the year to see me through winter.

 

[Jaydug]

I had mine just about a week ago with no side effects whatsoever. Hardly even a tender upper arm. All my previous jabs have been Pfizer but this latest one was Sanofi.

 

[Hutch]

I have had 5 Covid, Jags now, 3 different types, I am not a health expert, but these immunisations are for your own good, but maybe if you are concerned talk to your Doctor who will advise you. Do you take the Flu Jag every year ? Have you had the Pneumonia one and the shingles one.
My Immunisation card is full of Cholera , Yellow fever, Hepatitis A and B , Typhoid, Meningitis, Pneumonia , Shingles and now the Covid ones, .
As Beachball states, up to you, each to there own.
But talk to your Doctor.

 

[Jcloughie]

I had mine just about a week ago with no side effects whatsoever. Hardly even a tender upper arm. All my previous jabs have been Pfizer but this latest one was Sanofi.

I have just had mine on Saturday last. Seems it is a mixture of two liquids combined just before it is administered. Same affects as you.

A real dilemma for the OP in the circumstances. Our attitude tends to be to rely on the advice of the experts. The alternative may be worse.

John.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Social media is the last place to get well balanced health responses or advice. With health related issues, your GP should have the necessary information to assess an individual's risks to medications and is therefore in the best position to discuss and advise.

If you don't trust your GP change doctors.

 

[Jcloughie]

Social media is the last place to get well balanced health responses or advice. With health related issues, your GP should have the necessary information to assess an individual's risks to medications and is therefore in the best position to discuss and advise.

If you don't trust your GP change doctors.

Though very true. The OP asked for neither, just whether others were going to have one.

John

 

[Mr Plodd]

Well I shall be having my booster as soon as it becomes available to my age group (We are 69 and 68)
My thinking being that Covid represents a far greater risk to me than any effects from the jab. I could be wrong of course ( wouldn't be the first time) but of the millions who have been "jabbed" how many have suffered complications as an attributable (rather than what could be entirely coincidental) result?
I am 100% happy to take my chances.

 

[Dustydog]

I’ve had four , 2x AZ, 1x Pfizer, 1xModerna. No issues at all. As said by Hutch, any doubt ask your GP first. Note too the Covid virus has constantly metamorphosed into different strain types which the latest vaccines seek to protect us from.

 

[Lutz]

Nobody that I've come across lately even mentions Covid booster jabs any more. Quite the opposite, I live only a few miles from a manufacturing facility where the BionTech/Pfizer vaccine is produced and the local press is full of reports on the increasing number of cases where they are being sued with claims against them for serious aftereffects. Apparently there are already over 180. I'll think I'll give further jabs a miss despite the fact that I ended up in intensive care following a Covid infection last years.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Dusty makes a very valid point. The Covid that.s circulating now is much changed from the original strain that started in China.

However, I don't want to belittle the distress and impact on people or families where a vaccine has been implicated in loss or serious illness caused by side effects. My sympathies are with them. but we do have to consider the wider implications of using or not using vaccines.

In much of the world vaccines for a variety of conditions have proven to be highly effective. We have seen some very successful programmes that have reduced the risks from very serious communicative diseases, even the eradication of some.

Without these programmes I suspect millions of lives would have been badly affected or lost.

We can only hope that where a person is adversely affected, the cause can be clearly identified, and contraindications be identified so an informed decision can be made for others.

 

[Lutz]

I agree that the vaccine had its justification while the pandemic was rampant, because then its benefits far outweighed possible risks, but I’m convinced that the situation has changed since and that is no longer the case.

 

[Hutch]

I agree that the vaccine had its justification while the pandemic was rampant, because then its benefits far outweighed possible risks, but I’m convinced that the situation has changed since and that is no longer the case.

Maybe ,you are convinced that the Covid risk has changed but Health Experts are still concerned about the various strains in different countries and continents. That's why the immunisation program is continuing in many countries.

 

[Buckman]

Though very true. The OP asked for neither, just whether others were going to have one.

John

Thank you as it seems once again some misunderstand my post which has nothing to do with our GP. However thanks for the input from those who did understand the question in my post.

 

[otherclive]

Thank you as it seems once again some misunderstand my post which has nothing to do with our GP. However thanks for the input from those who did understand the question in my post.

I think the fact that you said you were “ debating” showed some uncertainty about having the vaccine and led to the advice that speaking to your GP might be a good idea. I will be having it but not yet.

 

[Buckman]

I think the fact that you said you were “ debating” showed some uncertainty about having the vaccine and led to the advice that speaking to your GP might be a good idea. I will be having it but not yet.

I will probably have mine, but OH is still very unsure which is understandable as it was touch and go last year.

 

[Buckman]

I will probably have mine, but OH is still very unsure which is understandable as it was touch and go last year.

Just to add that the last Covid injection was last year in October. I thought it was an annual thing?

 

[Dustydog]

Just to add that the last Covid injection was last year in October. I thought it was an annual thing?

It was but talking to a local nurse it seems the virus has mutated sufficiently to warrant an updated vaccine strain. As I had no adverse reactions on four occasions I will have the next when offered. In view of Mrs Bs issues dare I say best ask a Doctor.
The other factor not discussed so far is that sadly there will be people who react badly to any vaccine Covid or whatever. If that risk is say one in a million you have to ask Dirty Harry “ Do you feel lucky punk”?

 

[otherclive]

Just to add that the last Covid injection was last year in October. I thought it was an annual thing?

After having covid in July 2022 I delayed my annual booster until late November 2022. Since then I turned 75 so became eligible for the spring 2023 booster which is for 75+ and vulnerable people. But given its less than six months since I had my last jab I am delaying this spring booster.

 

[Buckman]

After having covid in July 2022 I delayed my annual booster until late November 2022. Since then I turned 75 so became eligible for the spring 2023 booster which is for 75+ and vulnerable people. But given its less than six months since I had my last jab I am delaying this spring booster.

Although not quite 75 yet, for me only a couple of days past the 6 month mark so should be no issues. Now just Mrs B that is understandably worried about the injection.

 

[otherclive]

Although not quite 75 yet, for me only a couple of days past the 6 month mark so should be no issues. Now just Mrs B that is understandably worried about the injection.

Understand and not an easy decision for your wife. In her place I would speak to the GP and see if the GP could put her in touch with the hospital specialist who treated her. But still not a black and white decision for her ( and you).

 

[Buckman]

I really appreciated the input on this due to some very valid answers to my OP and it has at least set my mind at ease.

 

[Lutz]

Maybe ,you are convinced that the Covid risk has changed but Health Experts are still concerned about the various strains in different countries and continents. That's why the immunisation program is continuing in many countries.

But who knows whether the vaccines that were originally developed to combat the strains back then are as effective with the current strains? To my knowledge the manufacturers have not done much work to adapt their vaccines to suit.
Most of the vaccines that are in stock in my part of the world are now being disposed of because their use by date has been exceeded and little or nothing new is being ordered.

 

[Hutch]

But who knows whether the vaccines that were originally developed to combat the strains back then are as effective with the current strains? To my knowledge the manufacturers have not done much work to adapt their vaccines to suit.
Most of the vaccines that are in stock in my part of the world are now being disposed of because their use by date has been exceeded and little or nothing new is being ordered.

The discarding of OofD vaccine is probably the same here in the UK. I have had 5 Covid vaccinations now, three different types, so I believe the vaccines are changing as is the Covid strains.
But the test kits are still the same, for all strains of Covid.

 

[Jaydug]

I agree that the vaccine had its justification while the pandemic was rampant, because then its benefits far outweighed possible risks, but I’m convinced that the situation has changed since and that is no longer the case.

According to the UK Govt statistics, in the last seven days, 3963 patients were admitted to UK hospitals t be treated for Covid and 175 of them are currently on ventilators Since I have no wish to be amongst their numbers, I will continue to take Government advice and have the jabs.

PS: Sorry - I omitted the link - https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/healthcare