On Monday I received the magic text inviting me for the vaccine. I booked straight away following the link. I called both 119 and my GP surgery to ensure that my moderate allergy to Morphine wouldn’t prevent me from having the Phizer jab, which is what I believed was being administered that day. I got told by both, that was fine as no morphine in the vaccines and only people with egg allergies and epi pens were unable to have the physer.
So I went today, I wore three masks, I was extremely anxious going into the clinic as I have stayed at home besides walks for 11 months. It was quite busy in there, but kept telling myself, it’s to make me safe. I eventually get called into the vaccine room, having to sit right next to two other people, then my turn comes. Nurse asked me a few questions and then asked about any medication allergies, I of course tell her of my allergy to morphine which is moderate severity (rash) and she refused to give me the vaccine! I am absolutely gutted, I have put myself at risk for absolutely no reason at all! I have cried all afternoon, I’m so upset, I have been trying to find out information all day about it. They couldn’t even tell me when they will next have the AZ vaccine in, so it was difficult for me to rebook an appointment! After several phone calls I have finally had it confirmed that I’m booked in for 27 February and it will be the AZ vaccine. I just hope all this stress and upset today doesn’t cause a flare or worse picked up covid while there!
I was told on querying the nurses decision that it’s her perogative to deem it safe or unsafe for me to have the vaccine!
Don’t get me wrong I am very grateful to our NHS and I know they’re trying their best, but it’s silly not to ask these screening questions before booking the appointment, to prevent unnecessary risk to clinically vulnerable patients.
UPDATE
IVE HAD THE OXFORD JAB TODAY
Written by
Wishie
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I agree with you, surely as they are vaccinating vulnerable people a doctor is involved somewhere along the line to make the decision as to whether it is the right one for each patient and they are not willy nilly dishing them out. I got the AZ yesterday which I hope will give me some sort of protection. hope all goes well for you
Hi, sorry to hear you've had such a difficult time, I don't understand why as I also have a morphine allergy and I received the Pfizer vaccine with no adverse effects
Lol, yes probably inexperienced as many have been pushed through to assist with the vaccines. I was always taught and had it told to me constantly, if you're not sure about something, then ask!!
I’m really sorry you experienced this. My friend who has a mixture of autoimmune conditions including MCAS has also had a nightmare. First called to St Thomas and like you after shielding for so long, was stuck in a tent with no ventilation with loads of people and then told she couldn’t have it, having been told she could. Then was told to book AZ so she did and went to another centre and again after waiting was told no! She has spent two weeks trying to get something in writing from her GP who refused and said Consultant had to do it, only for them to also refuse. In the meantime she’s continued to get texts and messages and even a phone call from St Thomas all saying she could have it but when she called up they would refuse to give her an appointment. Apparently she’s now been offered one so we shall see but it really shouldn’t be so stressful!
Hi, I’m sorry for you having being messed about so much. I have a allergy to IV morphine,just a tracking rash up the vein it’s administered in. Also allergic to hydroxychloroquine.I rang a help line number on Saturday to try and book appointment. At first I was told I couldn’t have it as I was not yet 60. Then I explained I had sjorgrens and UCD.I take cyclosporine eye drops. The woman hadn’t heard of sjorgrens so she went off and asked someone,I then got offered a jab within 3 hrs!
Obviously I told them of my allergies .she said it wasn’t a problem as nothing in jab that’s contraindicated ( I’m in wales) there should surely be a protocol for them to follow. I had the Pfizer vaccine.
I’m glad you now have a date for yours, but sorry for the unnecessary stress caused to you. As you say, they could have at least sorted it on the screening call. Good luck for second attempt.
I'm Very 'Tempted' to suggest that you Speak To Your GP. You can either Ask, for a Letter/ Document, That Clearly States you 'CAN have the Jab' or- perhaps better still- ask the Practice if 'They' can do this for you. Explain the Refusal and, by all means, how you are feeling, then just Ask again. My Feeling is.... this Will be 'sorted', for you.
Have you, in the 'Seemingly Reams' of Covid Paperwork, received a letter Suggesting/ Recommending you To HAVE the 'Jab'? If so... maybe try again? Although I think the GP route Will be Better.
I agree. These screening questions are pretty clear. I just registered on the phone in the US. I was asked about allergies, anaphylaxis, and whether I was immuno-compromised or had autoimmune disease. If I answered yes to certain questions, I was read the advice to discuss vaccine with doctor.
You should be upset. This unnecessary risk and inconvenience could have been avoided.
Are you wondering on what basis the nurse declined to administer the vaccine?
Hello, I attended the hospital for my vac last Sunday they were giving the Pfizer one, I explained all my allergies and medications, steroids,cellcept, etc. She went and got the doctor explained everything again, he checked my medical records and said No I could not get it as it contains PPD which is in hair dyes and in the past I did have a reaction to. So now I am booked in this Saturday to have the A/Z which my husband had last Monday and felt tired and a few chills afterwards.
That must have been so disappointing for you. I should haven been vaccinated before my hubby, but he received the letter to go to a large centre to have his. I received a call from my very small GP surgery, the nurse asked all the relevant questions and I then was told what time to come down. I had to ring the door bell and wait. Only one in at a time. Didn’t even get in a room, they did it at the front door of surgery. So quick, I watched people coming and going and waited till my allocated time. I didn’t have to wait either, the call said to wait in my car if I was concerned. It was so organised I was very surprised. Only came into contact with one nurse. I have not been out anywhere since March so this was a relief to get it at my surgery.
I’m really sorry to hear of your experience. It’s very scary to put yourself in that position and then be forced to walk away without the benefit of the vaccine.
I know someone who was turned away and was told that they do not have adrenaline on site to administer if they had a reaction.
I am shocked by this. We know those two nurses at the start of the vaccination programme had a anaphylactic reaction and it is a possibility, but they were treated and were fine.
From my reading everyone has been recommended having a Covid vaccination, whether you have lupus, APS, sjogrens, kidney disease, any form of cancer, etc. Even people who’ve had anaphylaxis before are being advised to have a jab, as the reaction can be treated but no one knows how they’ll react to Covid and the treatments.
But if these mass vaccination centres are not carrying adrenaline.....
The person I know got their jab at their GP surgery, no issues and no reaction.
I am thinking from these stories that not all mass vaccination centres have doctors and / or adrenaline present. I couldn’t identify a doctor where I had mine done, there were just nurses. Could it be that a doctor is needed to administer the adrenaline if needed?
Whatever is behind this, I hope you get it sorted out soon.
Exhausting to deal with it all though and totally unnecessary.
"they do not have adrenaline on site to administer if they had a reaction."
This should not happen, anywhere that is administering a vaccine should have emergency kit at hand, also anyone trained to give a vaccine should be trained and capable of giving adrenaline.
Oh what an unnecessary stressful and distressing experience. Your GP and Consultant seem more concerned with backside covering than patient welfare. I am so very sorry. No wonder you cried I would have too. Good luck with your next appointment. I really hope it goes well for you. Maybe report your experience to your local Health Board as it may help others xx
Hi WishieI’ve just experienced the same situation with my Mum. She had it refused twice, first time as the Pfizer couldn’t be administered due to allergies, second time Oxford wasn’t given as the nurse didn’t want to administer due to needing more clarification on her allergies. We sorted this and she’s just had the AZ vaccine this week 👏👏
Thanks for that Wendy. I emailed them a couple of weeks ago to ask their advice and they replied straight away. It’s a really good site with useful links. 👍
That’s good to hear. It sounds like some of the staff involved in the vaccination programme are not receiving the correct advice about such allergies. But as long as these issues are resolved and people get their vaccinations safely.
Hi Wishie - so so sorry you went through this... just dreadful!
I wanted to add my story to help, as so many lovely people on here have already. I had quite bad reaction to morphine (shock, seeing things, throat swelling and constant nausea, low blood pressure) and to iodine injection (high blood pressure and nausea) and to penicillin (bad hot rash allover bottom each time I took the tablets!). I discussed twice with my GP and in the end she said no, you cannot have the Pfizer one but the Astrazeneca one will hopefully be fine. so I had it, even though had the discussion with the doctor administering it first. Yes, I had increase in temperature and blood pressure afterwards and was kept there for 45mins but they said take antihistamine when get home and paracetamol and you should be fine. Off I went, had the usual weird stuff many have for a couple of days but was OK.
Please call your GP as everyone on here states and just get another appointment... or you could book on line and go to the nearest larger place maybe(although I know it feels putting yourself at risk more... have to say our GP version wasn't much better - tons and tons of people and social distancing not great... but pff... I wanted it - as do you of course!!
Please let us know how you get on - fingers crossed for you.... Courage my friend!!! Don't give up yet💪 - the Government WANT you to have it! xx
Hi, I have an egg allergy and I was given the Pfizer jab, also allergies to some anti biotics too, I was unwell for about 4 days, but been fine since! xx
Just to update you, my GP also decided it was best for me not to have the phizer vaccine. I received a letter off him confirming that I was ok to have the oxford which I took with me today just in case of any further issues. I’m pleased to say, I had the oxford vaccine today 👍
I hope anyone else waiting, isn’t waiting too long.
list. Glad they managed to sort this out pretty fast. Let us know how you feel. I had no reaction exception sore arm to the Pfizer. I was lucky to get an earlier appointment.
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So upset
Oxford vaccine 
Have had my covid vaccine and all ok so far..
Lupus very demanding 
