Should I go ahead with Covid Jab?

[kangaroojohn]

I am aged 80 and have my 5th Covid jab booked for Thursday I am steady on 5mg pred with no PRM symptoms. Should I go ahead with the jab and if so, what might I look out for?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

if you haven’t had issues previously with vaccines then accept it.

On advice from practice nurse many years ago I take paracetamol a day before and a couple of days after any vaccine.

[ladygigger]

What DorsetLady says. I think I'm on my 7th jab now (I'm 70, 69 when the jab was done). The only comment I'd add is to ask them to be gentle because I bruise so easily since being on steroids. I've found since I've asked that (after being stabbed by the doctor for a flu jab a couple of years ago) that I've coped much better.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had problems with an increase in my atrial fibrillation after my bivalent jab here in Italy in November 2022. However, that didn't stop me booking my latest version of the Covid jab this December. The doctor at the clinic (all our vaccinations are supervised by a doctor who examines your health record) congratulated me on being prepared to have the jab despite last year's reaction.

The bivalent jab last winter season was the only one I have had any reaction to and this winter I barely had anything to report - my arm was slightly sore to lie on for a couple of days but nothing else. It has been reported that this year's vaccine is associated with very few adverse effects.

I have had all my vaccinations as they have been offered here and still haven't knowingly had Covid - and I am going to do all I can to keep it that way!!

[Sharitone]

Of course, nobody can know how it will work out for you. On the other hand, if you miss the jab, then get the disease and it turns into long covid...

[Pjso]

I had my jab and I was fine. I now refuse to have the Covid and flu jabs together. In the past I had one in each arm but always felt ill afterwards for at least a week. This time I had them separately, six weeks apart and felt fine. But always do what works for you.