Vaccine

[Julie14]

Got a phone call yesterday to go for my 1st vaccine today however it will be 3 months before i can go for the 2nd one. I hope that after todays it means i no longer have to shield, ive worked from home now since March 2020.

[Bkin]

Good you are having the vaccine, it is now usual for a 12 week wait between doses of the vaccine. No you should not stop shielding. Country is still I in lockdown. Familiarise yourself with lock down rules. Don't be a spreader.

[Julie14 in reply to Bkin]

Thank you & i will take a look.

[Karen2]

I thought about this but the shielding advice has changed on the gov website. Now states we should continue to shield until further notice even if we have had both vaccines.

[Julie14 in reply to Karen2]

Thanks Karen i was not aware of this i will take a look. It is just that my employer may think its fine for me to return to the office.

[Karen2 in reply to Julie14]

I completely get the concern about your employer. I was a teacher but was forced to take early retirement because I couldn’t guarantee that I wouldn’t have to shield again. At the end of the day being around to see my grandkids far outweighed the risk of going into school.

[Annie31 in reply to Karen2]

I'm sorry to hear that but can that not be construed as 'constructive dismissal'? especially as the schools have had to resort to online learning again. Doesn't seem fair to you at all, but I can understand your views about family etc.

[Annie31 in reply to Julie14]

I think you will find the same rule applies to all irrespective of shielding etc that everyone who can, should continue to work from home if it can be done and that employers are to comply with those regs until such time that it's felt safe to undo the lockdown rules.

[2greys]

I have been shielding since last March as well, I personally, would not take that risk at all. There is at least a three week delay from having the first or second dose to start working effectively .

Even Pfizer themselves have admitted that the first dose only offers 50% protection, after 3 weeks, but the latest variant is also 54% more transmissible so it is perfectly feasible that they can cancel each other out (leaving the risk the same as the first wave).

I know just how much you want to be able to live your life normally, a lot of us here are in the same leaky boat, but if you can bear it, continue to shield until at least 3 weeks after your second dose.

[Julie14 in reply to 2greys]

Hi 2greys i will shield until i am told by government it is safe not to. I can work from home i will have conversation with my manager regarding this. They have been very supportive & even when ive asked to go into the office they have said no they have a duty to keep vulnerable staff safe.

[2greys in reply to Julie14]

Sensible. Remember, I had the virus in April so I possibly have some immunity yet I still will not go out until I have had both doses and definitely safe to go out. Believe me, having Pneumonia was a walk in the park compared to having Covid.

[Wanttobehapppy]

It was my understanding that having the vaccine doesn’t stop you from being a carrier, you can still have it being asymptotic or have mild symptoms, they aren’t sure yet, it will however stop people being seriously ill reducing hospital admission with is a very good thing, I’ve had my first dose second in March, I’m cev and my employer will not entertain me going back I can’t work from home due to being a machine operator, been shielding since March going back in between relaxation of the rules, which hasn’t been easy due to reduced pay and I’m on various meds for mental health , so it’s my understanding to still shield until this goes away. I maybe wrong

[corriena]

No you should still shield. Untill you have the second vaccine to give you highest protection. Remember you can still spead the virus. Good that you are getting your vaccine sorted 😷

[peege]

Noooo, stay shieling for a minimum of 2 weeks . It's like the flu jab, it takes at least two weeks for the body to build antibodies. You'll still be extremely vulnerable if you don't protect yourself. Doctors have been complaining today about that 12 week wait before 2nd vaccination is far too long so with a bit of luck you'll have your 2nd jab before too long. Please be patient about staying in a bit longer. P

[Julie14 in reply to peege]

Will do & even the nurse said to shield until government says different

[Alberta56]

Your employer seems very reasonable, thank goodness.

[Julie14 in reply to Alberta56]

They are & have been very supportive