Vaccines: Is there anyone on here that has not taken... - NRAS

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Vaccines

Mozza61 profile image
68 Replies

Is there anyone on here that has not taken any vaccines. I would love to hear from you and how you have kept protected etc. I have RA and currently on 2 weekly Amgevita injections and painkillers..I also suffer with osteoarthritis, and Bronchiectasis. I only had first 2 covid then decided against more this includes the shingles, flu, and Pneumonia

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Mozza61 profile image
Mozza61
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68 Replies
Bootoo profile image
Bootoo

GET YOUR SHINGLES JAB. Trust me, I'm laid up with shingles and believe me when I say it is extremely painful. I wouldn't wish this on anyone 😬

Mozza61 profile image
Mozza61 in reply toBootoo

Thanks for your reply, can i ask Did you have the shingles jab

Bootoo profile image
Bootoo in reply toMozza61

I've had the 1st one then got shingles.. typical of the luck I have 🙄 The pain is on another level. Please don't be put off having it.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply toBootoo

Thankfully that is not always the case.

I had Shingles in my face/head…it was very unpleasant ….but bearable. I couldn’t have the shingles vaccine because I was always the wrong age!

Rusticgarden profile image
Rusticgarden in reply toAgedCrone

They now have shingles jab for 50 yrs and immunosuppressed

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply toRusticgarden

But it apparently is of little use to the 80 + age group, I had it once & survived so I hope I’ve had my turn!

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

I only had the first 4 Covid vaccinations…..I have always been the wrong age for the Shingles jab , pre Covid I always had the Flu vaccination..& I still have that. Never had the pneumonia jab.

Had covid very mildly..ditto Shingles.

I’m elderly & on Rituximab & I don’t do anything special to keep clear…..just lucky I guess.

hazelcats profile image
hazelcats

Only 58 feels like 158 some days. First time in my life had the flu jab, covid booster next week and on my twice monthly bloods today told I should have RSV(?) as well, and she will check if I should have shingles as well... On MTX and hydroxy.

I like to have only essential meds and jabs, but my health is crazy atm so trying to give my body as much help as it needs. Yet I also believe firmly in a persons right to choose if they have jabs or not, I try to research pros and cons of each one. Take care

Vonnie10 profile image
Vonnie10

I had 3 covid jabs i am not having any more or any other jabs . My poor body cannot take much more i just turned 59.

Mozza61 profile image
Mozza61 in reply toVonnie10

I kinda feel like that too, my immune system is bad enough

Rusticgarden profile image
Rusticgarden in reply toMozza61

These vaccines are non live so at most get headache and sore arm ,unless you've picked up something prior to vaccine

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply toVonnie10

I had 3 Covid jabs but I was so unwell after the 3rd my Rheumatologist said not to have the following one or the flu jab last year. Not sure what to do this year though. I had flu in March which took 2 months to get over so guess I have some antibodies.

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady

This is a post that could be asking the impossible and asking a question that can't be answered as only you know how you can protect yourself. I don't want to offend but think your better protected by vaccine and I've got RA, CKD, and Bronchectasis amongst other stuff. I've had 10 covid vaccines so many flu ones I donate know how many! yellow fever Heb ones and all the ones you need to travel abroad. We got flu as at the Local Authorities and in the Civil Service I worked for, as dealing with the public means more germs than usual. Why ?well because I've had Shingles its dreadful and got hospitalised, flu when I was a young person put me in bed for a fortnight back at home with my mum and dad, Covid its obvious it was life threatening for me and I got a letter saying pack a bag ready and you won't get visitors if hospitalised etc right at the start. So I'm sure without vaccines I would never had gone abroad, nor in all likely hood would I be sitting here typing this response because what to one person is just a virus they get it but to someone else it is life threatening. I think if you don't want a vaccine and look at polio in Gaza to see how serious diseases mostly forgotten here can be then the risk is down to you alone. But vaccines also protect the people around you so your family, work colleagues and friends even the person on the bus you sat next too. It's a two way street protect yourself and others and I don't know why you don't want them if offered but feel it is a very sad and a bit selfish too. Sorry if that offends but being vulnerable means that only you can protect you but what about others?

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply tomedway-lady

I never thought of it before, but maybe that is why I don’t seem to contract any of these diseases we are vaccinated against…..or if I do…I get it mildly?

I had all the vaccinations you mention & more - every time they came due - often annually, some 6 monthly ….for 25 years.

As for Polio, I remember when it was present in the UK, & in fact lost school friends in the 1950’s when we were given the vaccine used prior to the very successful Salk Vaccine which saved many lives.

I didn’t stop Covid vaccinations on a whim, but on the advice, not only of my rheumy, but my ENT Surgeon,& my Ophthalmologist…….all of whom treated me after the first AZ Vaccines. I still have symptoms of those jabs & I won’t chance a Covid vaccine again.

Had I not reacted so badly…I would have considered continuing to have them. But each of us has to make our own choice.

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady in reply toAgedCrone

Yes I remember polio and the children with limps too. Dreadful disease and I agree it’s about choice but then my sister is a nurse. She told us about her experience of unvaccinated patients changing their minds and it was too late. They mostly died. I think the poster is depending on herd immunity and provided they aren’t given or want treatment then it is that persons choice. But equally why should they put others in danger looking after them ? I have no issue with people who say no as long as they don’t infect me.

Mozza61 profile image
Mozza61 in reply tomedway-lady

People that don't have vaccines do not infect others .. people that have the jabs still get the virusis , so if what your saying is true you would be protected anyway

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady in reply toMozza61

That’s not the point, if you get it then you’d pass it on the same as I would but if I got it , it would not be so bad. That’s the purpose of vaccine to stop the spread. I’m sorry but listen to the Covid Enquiry and the deaths. I know 2 people who died of it, my sister nursed people with it, caught it and was seriously ill. I’ve had it and was lucky and I’m grateful we have vaccines.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply tomedway-lady

But it actually it must depend on the true vulnerability of the person who catches it.I also got the vulnerability letters based on the fact that I was 80+had a few auto immune diseases & was on Rituximab.

All that was disproved when I caught Covid….Lord knows where….& for me it was only like a mild cold.

But for somebody else ….who really was vulnerable for non of my reasons….and caught Covid from the same source…it could have been fatal.

But it certainly did seem that people who regularly had chest infections were much more likely to be really ill when they contracted it.

Let’s hope it will eventually be better controlled, like Influenza is these days.

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady in reply toAgedCrone

Exactly so. But because no one can predict true vulnerability it has to be either get herd immunity from vaccine or survival rates increasing from the virus much like polio or measles used to be. That protects the rest of the population. Both now of course on the rise as some don’t get vaccinated. I’m afraid that I agree if people don’t want to vaccinated it’s their prerogative as long as they don’t expect to get medications to treat it as well. I would ask them why would they look to treat a virus they didn’t think would hurt them.

Stills profile image
Stills in reply tomedway-lady

Exactly

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply tomedway-lady

Every disease that is gradually increasing in the UK would be far better controlled if we had stricter health checks at our borders. Look at the diseases that are being found in checks on those crossing the Chanel in dinghies daily.

I in fact caught scabies…a very nasty itchy red rash….a bug gets under your skin ..& gnaws away. .Thankfully I got seen by a tropical medicine specialist who recognised it very quickly because I had it all over my hands,wrists & arms, That specialist remarked that it could weaken the immune system if not caught early….but altho mine was caught early…. I often wonder if that was why I developed RA in my late 50’s?

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady in reply toAgedCrone

Who knows? I wonder if we all have a common link or even ancestor ? Because I had the ANCA test and not many get that it’d be interesting if the research being done now in time to come will identify a common factor and develop better targeted medications. We can only hope things improve in the future as research is going to help generations to come. When I think how things changed from mum to me it’s astonishing so from me to granddaughter etc it will be so different again.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply tomedway-lady

I had nobody to compare with when I was diagnosed as nobody in my family had RA. A few had OA…but that means nothing . ..& I only developed that recently.

But right now….for the first time in living memory….I have toothache! It would be on the weekend when my dentist was only open this morning.

I sure hope it’s gone by Monday …or I will be on the doorstep at9am!

Stills profile image
Stills in reply toAgedCrone

Agree and if earlier testing could be rather than pharma companies concentrating on R&D to find drugs applications used in the end stages of illnesses . I’m not saying stop drug development or stop treating the ill, I’m saying we should seek to diagnose these conditions much much earlier so they can be treated earlier with better outcomes.

Rusticgarden profile image
Rusticgarden in reply toAgedCrone

It also depends when you caught COVID at the beginning it was much worse over time with herd immunity virus gets milder but viruses mutate all the time people who have had vaccines are more protected

sunshineday profile image
sunshineday in reply tomedway-lady

It's a personal choice, the second COVID jab and first booster ruined my husbands health and changed our life, his mild peripheral neuropathy went rampant, he developed vasculitis and heart failure. On top of this he also has bronchiectasis, asthma and other lung problems and Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's a struggle to walk and having trips or meals out are a no no as he can barely use his hands. I don't advise either way, it's up to each individual. I can only speak from our own experience. We have the flu and shingles jabs but no more MRNA jabs. I'm still trying to find out if the RSV is MRNA as we have both been invited for these..

Akaka profile image
Akaka in reply tosunshineday

Yes the RSV is MRNA

sunshineday profile image
sunshineday in reply toAkaka

Thank you Akaka, that is helpful.

Shadow35 profile image
Shadow35 in reply tosunshineday

Hi. I would like to know how long it took for your husband to get diagnosed with vasculitis and heart fealure. I'm scare it take so long to get diagnosed i will stay with sequels for the rest of my life. I got the covid vaccin 2 years ago and fall sick 4 hours after and it never stop. I wasn't able to walk, had crazy cough, difficulty breathing for many month. It also had neurological problem and arthritis that start at the same time. I was finally diagnosed with spondyloarthritis last year but still have other symptom. They are looking for vasculitis and heart fealure now. It took them 2 years to eliminate all the other diagnosis like asthma, gerd etc.... i'm 37and i wish i can move like before without having palpitation. I'm not againt vaccin but i wish the rare number of people who get sick from the vaccin get help and support.

sunshineday profile image
sunshineday in reply toShadow35

Hi Shadow, so sorry to hear of your struggling and hope you can get some answers soon. Hubby had the 2nd jab in October 21, GP referred him to cardiology in November 21 and had cardio appt in January 22 who advised heart failure. Hubby's neurologist referred him for a nerve biopsy in March 22 and this was done in April 22 which confirmed vasculitis. Wishing you better health soon and wish there was more understanding for people who do unfortunately have an adverse reaction to the vaccine, it's not by choice this happens.

KASHMIRI1 profile image
KASHMIRI1 in reply toMozza61

I am a bit confused why dont people who chose not to have vaccinations not infect other people when ill. Isnt that how disease spreads. Maybe I misread your post

Mozza61 profile image
Mozza61 in reply toAgedCrone

Thank you for your reply and yes we should all be able to have our own opinions, take care and I wish you well

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toAgedCrone

I remember polio jab as a child xxx

Mozza61 profile image
Mozza61 in reply tomedway-lady

Thanks for your reply ,and I understand what your saying ,I too was told I was very clinically vulnerable due to my health ect. I'm not against vaccines as such ,bit I did some intensive research on them and made my decision to not go ahead ,I try to look after my body by living as healthy life as possible and I'm.sorry if you think that is selfish to me I'm doing the right thing. My post was not to create a debate but to see what others that don't take the vaccines are doing, I never got covid even though I was in contact with many that did, I've never to my knowledge at flu , well real flu , I have had severe by lateral pneumonia and was very ill for months so I don't feelnthe need to be vaccinated against it now. .

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady in reply toMozza61

Yes. I understand I as read your previous posts. I simply don’t support your point of view. Are you suggesting that it’s your life style that’s stopped you from getting Covid or flu etc? Because that really implies those who got it sort of deserved it. So really that needs thinking through. I wish you all the best but think sadly you’re misguided. If you even need to ask this question it does appear that you’re asking for help and so why ? as clearly your well informed and made your own decision.

rmros profile image
rmros

Remember the only unvaccinated people here to respond to this are the ones who got lucky.

welsh12 profile image
welsh12

Hi I have had the flu vaccine had the flu years ago and it laid me low. I had the initial covid vaccines but have had covid every year for last few years never say never but i dont want it at moment i do try to reduce my risk around others. last year covid was manageable not nice milder this year. I have been offered all the vaccines and will as I get older take the pneumonia one and shingles.

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply towelsh12

The flu vaccine knocked me off my feet 8 years ago! Really did xxx

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply toFlorida1959

I have had the Influenza vaccination for years with no problems…..BUT,I had my vaccination the day before yesterday- felt absolutely fine until the evening when my arm was really painful …….That wore off during the night. I was fine all day yesterday,…no pain - not even a mark on my arm..

But I have been awake all night….again….. arm fine…., but I feel dreadful this morning and I won’t be having any more influenza vaccinations if it turns out to be the side effect of this latest one. Of course how I will know is the problem.

Fingers crossed I feel better as the day goes on!🫢

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toAgedCrone

Bless you, sending you healing hugs xxxx

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959

me, keep your immune system really good and look after yourself,

Ali_H profile image
Ali_H in reply toFlorida1959

What??? If my immune system was ‘really good’ I wouldn’t be living with an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid disease would I? And no I didn’t trash my immune system with wayward living…. Never smoked, did illegal drugs, excessive alcohol etc. I did and do enjoy the great outdoors - kayaked off the coast of Oz, hiked the Grand Canyon and a few other things in my time… just home from 4 days walking and sea swimming on the Norfolk coast!!

At 8yrs had renal reflux corrective surgery and my parents told I probably wouldn’t see past 16yrs… I’m 62!!

Damn I find your flippant comment both rude and irritating because you’ve implied that I haven’t ‘looked after myself’ thus implying my rheumatoid disease is all my own doing! 😠

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toAli_H

No one else has reacted like you, it’s all been pretty positive - so I guess there’s something going on with you! I have been ill, very ill, but I choose natural healing, homeopathy and herbs , and I chose not to have the vaccines recently! That’s all

Ali_H profile image
Ali_H in reply toFlorida1959

No nothing going on and no objections re not having vaccines (pros and con either way… individual choice) but strongly object to the implication behind the statement ‘keep immune health good and looking after yourself’

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toAli_H

Then that’s ok

Bootoo profile image
Bootoo in reply toFlorida1959

You've not got an autoimmune disease then??

benhemp profile image
benhemp

My wife and I have not taken any covid vaccinations. I am up to date on my other mainstream vaccinations (pneumococcal, shingles, etc) but not flu or RSV. I am not anti-vaccination, but I do research and choose the ones that I feel have been well-tested and found to be efficacious and warranted (hence shingles and pneumococcal, but not covid). We have both had covid twice; the first time was before the vaccine was released, and subsequent testing revealed that our natural immunity was strong. The 2nd covid bout was mild and we wouldn't have known we had covid except that testing revealed it. (I work as a volunteer in settings -- prisons and hospitals -- that required that I be tested; such testing is no longer required.)

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply tobenhemp

Exactly , me too! I had Covid twice and was able to fight it well x

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply tobenhemp

thank

You

Blackberrywine profile image
Blackberrywine

Hello. I've not had any covid, flu or shingles jabs. I decided against after reading information and after having severe side effects to other drugs. My choice.

I have had the odd cold and stomach upset, but otherwise I've been fine. I travel everywhere by public transport and shop etc. I just take the same precautions set out previously to covid. If I'm ill I don't go out anyway on account of feeling rubbish. The jabs don't stop you from catching the particular illness anyway. Perhaps they help in reducing severity, but I'm not sure about that. Neighbours have had all the shots and been ill since with covid and other issues. Up to the individual.

Can't say as I've taken any precautions other than to stay home if I've caught a bug. I have to live life, and mix with other people. It's impossible to avoid all viruses and bugs.

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toBlackberrywine

well done it’s about protection and self care, if I am Ill, I too stay in and look after myself! X,

Jackie1947 profile image
Jackie1947

It's good we have choices and there is no right or wrong answer to this .

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toJackie1947

Absolutely xxxx

cyberbarn profile image
cyberbarn

If you want to take precautions then make sure you have a properly fitting FFP3 mask. My son and I no longer qualify for covid vax so we mask up when ever we are with other people unless outside and with good ventilation.

It is also worth remembering that it isn't just the initial covid infection that is a risk, it is also Long Covid. As others have said each person's immune system is different, and each person's risk is different and this includes whether you get Long Covid or not. Long covid is not pleasant and can be life changing, and it can come from a mild infection too.

As someone else said, you are asking the survivors here. That is called survivor bias. It is worth thinking about survivor bias in all walks of life. All those billionaire tech bro entrepreneurs? You don't see the millions of entrepreneurs that fail and end up in poverty. All those people that had mild covid and think it is just like a cold? You don't hear from those that died or had life changing experiences.

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply tocyberbarn

Absolutely xx well said xx

Luna20 profile image
Luna20

I have had flu and covid vaccinations, at the same time (get it over with in one go). I feel unwell the day after (weak, aching, headache) but that passes by the next day. I get the flu vaccine every autumn and the covid booster every spring and autumn. It is important for those of us who have weakened immune systems to get any help we can with keeping these illnesses at bay. I plan to have the shingles vaccine soon (I was advised by my GP not to have all three at once but strongly advised to have all the vaccinations I can get).

Uglow profile image
Uglow

Iv taken No jabs Iv seen too many adverse effects on people. Also my Gp said don’t take. Yes my Gp Iv never had COVID neither has my husband. I personally think the whole vaccine thing is a control con. Do your own research. Not from the ones that make millions from it.

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toUglow

Yes research is the key ! X

Uglow profile image
Uglow

ps watch them censor me as anyone thst has an opinion different to them !

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toUglow

I was censored for a comment about the vac! lol

Cat-E profile image
Cat-E

I had the first 3 covid jabs and was quite ill for about 3 days each time, I have also had covid 3 times and was again quite ill for about 5 days. I am of the opinion that stimulating the immune system of someone who already has an over reactive immune system might not be a good thing and as I had a bad reaction each time I had the vaccine I won't be having any more vaccinations 🤔 I don't particularly keep myself protected in any special way but I am able to work from home so don't have a daily commute or office bugs to deal with but other than that, I have grandchildren with all their various bugs, I go in pubs, to football matches etc. I think we each have to make our own decision that we believe is the right one for us😀

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toCat-E

Good point xxx

Blackberrywine profile image
Blackberrywine in reply toCat-E

Is it called immune priming? I too wonder about overstimulating the immune system. Each to their own.

Rusticgarden profile image
Rusticgarden

With your medical issues you're leaving yourself open to becoming seriously ill or worse .Totally your choice but ATM NHS is busy and towards winter will become busier .I personally wouldn't want to add to that if I'd known I could have prevented it . Obviously just my opinion

EngineerMatthew profile image
EngineerMatthew

I am ex-US Navy and lived overseas as a child. Nobody has had more vaccines than I have after my records were lost. Dad had polio as a child so big believer in vaccines until they changed the definition of Vaccine and processes. My employer put huge pressure on me to get Covid shots . I told them I would rather watch my family put up against a wall than any get “vaccinated”. we are not Guinea pigs. Lost two friends age 30 to Pfizer Covid shots. Vicar was the first and his first dose. Nick had the booster when we had to break down his front door when his parents called wondering why he won’t pick up the phone.

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959 in reply toEngineerMatthew

Great words

Nanna71 profile image
Nanna71

Yes, I have not taken any vaccines since I was a child except when travelling to Hong Kong in my 20's which was, apparently, required. I am not worried about being protected; just dealing with what comes my way and last year in December I attended a Christmas luncheon where a very sick woman made and handled the food and the dishes, rather than leaving the job to another.

As a result, I picked up whatever she had - coughed my lungs out, drained my sinuses out, and then had IBS for about a week and a half. Took about 3 months to get better and better I got.

Had I not been on MTX and Sulfasalazine for RA, I likely wouldn't have come down with anything. That's my life at 77.

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959

hugs

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