Covid Vaccine

[Phelpsy]

Good Evening all .x

Question …I got a call for the Covid Vaccine

Is it still important we get the spring jab ?

I’ve never missed one . Just wondering what the majority think ..

I’m always quite poorly after having it ,,

Thanks xxx

[Nickthedevil]

Hi Pam they make me really ill every time so I’m not having it. I only had the autumn one last year and I will probably have it again for winter protection xx

[Phelpsy in reply to Nickthedevil]

Hello xx

I’m swaying towards having it as ive been floored with a chest infection & I’m just not bouncing back like I used to .3 weeks now and still not feeling better x

I’ve had them all so frightened not to have them x x

Take care x

[Nickthedevil in reply to Phelpsy]

It’s a hard decision and took me a while to decide not to have the last spring one but I’ve only had Covid once and I was far less ill than the vaccinations make me xx

[Andyls]

They are predicting a summer increase in cases, as has occurred in the past. I will get my jab, as a case of Covid is quite a bit more of an issue to me.

[EPguy]

Some pts find the Novavax is better tolerated. It's not as well known but is authorized in at least UK, US and EU. It uses an older protein based tech that for some has milder side effects.

Covid seems to be getting milder, this report discusses some possible reasons.

The most basic possibility is cumulative vaxing and infections have reached a point of better general immunity. The most intriguing is that Covid could evolve to be a gut infection:

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

One item that shows up in my searching is the importance of getting Omicrom specific (monovalent) vaccines. These have been the standard since the 2023 Fall. Vaxes with the original strain alone or combined are affected my imprinting (protection reverts to the original strain) But this is overcome by the later (post 2022) versions. Multiple Omicron infections also provide this benefit but aren't a best way to get there.

My last was 2022 so I don't benefit, and I am advised no more vaccines after a severe adverse reaction. I'm still considering it, a hard choice. But this is not an issue for the vast majority.

[sydunipete]

I think you will get a lot of passionate responses for and against. My haemo says I should get it (I had the first 3 shots and none since).

My personal experience is each shot causes me a few days of extreme unpleasantness. I’ve had covid 3 times and each time it was extremely mild and only lasted a few days with less symptoms than a normal cold.

So for those reasons I choose to avoid future jabs.

I’m not a doctor and everybody is different. I’m sure you’ll make the right decision for you.

[Amethist]

there have been a number of others asking exactly the same question quite recently, so you can easily check through the posts and replies.

[rubyrubyruby]

I haven’t had a booster since 23, I don’t want my body pumped with anything else. IMO Covid has got milder, I wouldn’t get a vaccine for a cold.

[Hillman51 in reply to rubyrubyruby]

so true ,I only ever had 2 ,caused me so many joint problems which started the day after having the first one ..no more jabs for me ..

[JHigelin]

I have always had the covid jab and will have it again. There will be a surge in cases as there have been every summer as people get more together. Covid might be getting milder but the beauty of viruses is that they keep on evolving so no one can know for sure what the next strand will turn into. I would rather bebillnfor a couple of days than get really I'll with covid or long covid. The jab will never give you 100% protection but will help you to fight the virus if you get it. My mum is just out of long covid and it took her 7 months to get over it. It wasn't pretty and she wouldn't be here if she hadn't had the jab. Covid is pot luck. Some people get it mildly some don't. My consultant is advising me to have it and I will have it. I'm also a school teacher and mingle with lots of germs all year on so that's an added reason for having it.

[Yarnhabit in reply to JHigelin]

I am a teacher too, so yes, I will be having it. The last one in the Autumn affected me the least and I had it with a flu jab. I have only had COVID once, it was like a bad summer cold. I am going to keep with the vaccines because I have been a lot less sick with them, but I think you need to do what is best for you. We currently have a lot of Shingles cases in school so I am dodging that at the moment.

[Loubprv Volunteer]

I m having my 8th mid April, but so far touch wood, they don't really affect me I too am wary of too much stuff being pumped into me but as we all guzzle rubbish in our food every day ( preservatives fertilisers additives chemicals - just look on the back of packaging ) I reckon worrying is a lost cause!

I still wear a mask on planes and am wary of hand washing but that's me.

Beautiful day! Let's look on the bright side

Summers coming. Xx

[JV4E]

I have a rubbish time with the mRNA vaccines particularly Moderna , which seems to be the vaccine most commonly given by the NHS, I think they make a few people unwell reading the comments . But I had Novavax twice last year and it was so much better in terms of side effects. Unfortunately Novavax is not available this spring in the UK ( that’s a whole other story !)

Although COVID may appear to be getting milder, it still has the potential to cause long COVID even after a seemingly mild initial infection. It also hasn’t settled into any sort of seasonal pattern ,so there could be a summer wave . It’s very much an individual decision whether to have a booster, but for me it’s a yes, if I can track down Novavax 🙂

[EPguy in reply to JV4E]

Your experience with Nova is consistent with what some members of the Sjogrens forum report, a milder experience. This is a group that is extra sensitive to any immune upset, it's good to see an example of the same milder outcome here.

On the Moderna, your experience there I assume vs Pfizer is also consistent. Moderna is a larger dose 50mcg, than Pf at 30.

[JV4E in reply to EPguy]

Yes both Moderna and Pfizer made me unwell for a couple of weeks each time ,sometimes making my fatigue worse for up to a month . Only had Moderna once and that was the worst experience, probably as you say due to the higher dose.

The first Novavax I had a sore arm and felt a bit tired for 24 hours . My partner who does not have any health issues , had zero side effects . It was a revelation. Going forward I am trying to stick to Novavax

[EPguy in reply to JV4E]

That is a strong case for the Nova and fits the pattern, and an extreme reaction to the mRNAs. If I opt for the risk unique to my situation the Nova would be the way to go for me.

[Nerjalover in reply to EPguy]

hi zi sm interested to join the sjogrens forum- how do I do that - I’m not very tecky!

[EPguy in reply to Nerjalover]

This is the link:

smartpatients.com/

I think you have to log in to see anything. It's an entirely different service than Healthunlocked and I find a bit harder to use.

I see your list has Sjogren-Larsson syndrome. This is distinct from the autoimmune Sjogren's disease (SD) . Do you have SD also?

[Ebot]

Hi there. As per previous threads on this topic the current advice from haematologists seems to be ‘have the jab’.

I’ve always taken up the offer but have had Covid twice. Once was unpleasant (and I took antivirals which I wouldn’t be in a hurry to repeat!) but no lasting ill effects. And once was fairly mild. (Didn’t realise I had Covid and spent a week telling myself ‘to get my act together’ 😬) Both times I reckon the vaccine immunity had worn off as I was due boosters.

A personal choice but I’m happy to be vaccinated and stave off feeling poorly. Covid is still more than a basic cold for many people.

[Jelbea]

I developed neuropathy in my feet after first Covid vaccination (Astra-Zeneca). After each booster my neuropathy got worse - presumably the vaccine caused rise in inflammation. My MPN specialist told me to "think very carefully before getting another booster".

[EPguy in reply to Jelbea]

I agree with your Dr's advice. Neuro reactions are a high risk adverse event. I have direct experience here. If you do opt to rechallenge, the Novavax is milder for some. I am tempted.

[Jean24]

I think it's upto how people feel. My husband still wears a mask when he goes out, which is only really to medical appointment. He will have his booster when he asked to go. He had covid very mildly. We didn't know he had it, was when they were doing the flow tests at the hospitals for blood transfusion etc. He was OK with it. He follows the doctors orders and does what they tell him.I have had covid and it knocked me off my feet. I don't have the fIu jab. Had it twice and was really pooly afterwards so no dont have that one. I will have another booster when informed to have it. My husband is the ill one, I'm the carer so I need to be fit and well.

[Susana7]

I have mine booked for this weekend. I commute to work and am very exposed to unwell people coughing and sneezing, so will take any protection on offer.

[AndyT]

I’ve just been for mine - number 11..!

I’ve never had any bad side effects from the jabs, so will continue as long as they’re on offer.

[JenngeetingR828]

I stopped getting it after it was more /less required to go anywhere if you didn’t have the updated shot card. (4 years ago)

Since doing that, I have caught COVID 3 different times. The shot always made me feel worse and I hope developing the antibodies has helped long term,

Personally I struggle with having to take hysdroxyurea every day — all the toxins it’s putting in my body.. I’m more of a less is best if I can.

Not sure if my ramble helps at all

[Pogm in reply to JenngeetingR828]

Everyone must make their own decision...obviously. I had a Moderna shot early March and had a terrible immediate reaction. I have had Pfizer in the past with no issues. Luckily it only lasted 20 minutes( palpitations, redness, shaking). I am personally finished receiving Covid shots. They said I may have had an allergic reaction. After 7 shots throughout the years, that is enough for me. I do have PV and currently under control with Besremi and Jakafi.

[Lemon123]

As others have said, it really is a personal decision, depending on our own circumstances and experiences. I'm having my 11th Covid jab this week. Thankfully only had a reaction after the very first jab, the others have been fine. I've only had Covid once, 2 years ago, and Long Covid has taken away my sense of taste and smell, so I'm hoping this jab with boost my protection from catching Covid again. Sending good wishes, and for being comfortable with whatever decision you make.

[Hilomom]

I had my Covid booster last month.

[Janis12]

Hi, I am having my covid jab next week which i think will be my 11th and up to the present time have had no reaction. I developed covid three years ago and had i not tested for it I would have assumed it was just a mild cold. I do not like the idea of putting all of these chemicals into my body but I also do not like the idea of developing a more serious dose of covid. It's an individual choice but I for one want to keep myself safe, I mix with many groups of people , live on my own and I like to be out and about keeping myself fit. Good luck.

[Micky1956]

I contacted my nursing team after receiving my 4th covid jab invite. The info I was given was that as I was taking hydroxy the effectiveness would greatly reduce to around 50% effectiveness. They did make it very clear it was my choice whether to have it or not.I decided not to have further covid jabs as the 50% reduction effect outweighed the benefit, plus I have not felt 100% since taking the first doses.

I must point out this is NOT advice to not have it. It is just my position from the advice given to me..