TowersStreet COVID-19 Vaccine Poll

[Jonathan]

I wasn’t expecting to get mine so early as well due to only being 28, but I must’ve had mine for the exact same reasons as you, Matt (group 6 due to being autistic). I mean, I’m not complaining at all - the sooner we all get vaccinated, the sooner we can start getting back to normal. I wasn’t going to turn it down when I’d been offered the vaccine! I know of at least one or two others on here who are autistic and got vaccinated due to falling into group 6 as a result. I was lucky in that both doses hardly hurt with the injection and barely caused me any side-effects. I was most scared about the needle going in, but I hardly felt it at all. Then again, I can deal with needles fine when having a tattoo, so a vaccine’s a comparative walk in the park.

 

[Tim]

I have autism, so fell into group 6 (people aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions).

I certainly wasn’t expecting a vaccine as early as March, and I’m still not sure if I necessarily deserved it that early, but my thought process in accepting it was that I wouldn’t have been offered it again had I rejected it, and anyone who gets a vaccine surely contributes to limiting viral spread?

My age did actually cause quite an interesting issue with booking the first dose, though; as it’s only the Pfizer that’s licensed in 16-18 year olds, that’s the only one I could have. Not knowing that when I booked the appointment, I originally got booked in to have the AstraZeneca vaccine at the very start of March, but had to cancel it due to the aforementioned issue. We then had a bit of trouble booking, as at that time, all of the first doses being administered at the local centre were AstraZeneca, but they were eventually able to squeeze my Pfizer first dose in on 27th March alongside the Pfizer second doses being administered.

That's really interesting to know, thanks for sharing
And there's no shame in getting a vaccine earlier than expected. You're right that every vaccination given goes a little way to help everyone.

 

[Danza91]

Had my first jab yesterday morning. Very slick, needle in my arm five mins after arriving. Had a nice chat with the two women dealing with my vaccination throughout. No dramas and feel 100%.

Everyone I know has said how great the process and rollout has been, and well done to the NHS for this.

 

[Matt N]

On a side note, I’d be intrigued to know; how bad were the side effects with each of your doses? I’d be intrigued to see how people’s side effects varied, as well as whether any particular vaccine produces more side effects. I was under the impression that the AstraZeneca vaccine (and presumably the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as well, due to the J&J and AZ jabs being very similar to one another) tended to produce stronger side effects than the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines, but I’d be intrigued to put that theory to the test.


I had Pfizer, and neither of my vaccines were overly terrible side effects-wise to be honest; I had pretty similar side effects from both doses. On the first dose, my arm was very sore for a couple of days, I had a bit of a headache and I just generally felt a bit run-down and achy the day after. The second dose was very similar, yet again producing a sore arm and a general run-down, achy feeling, but I noticed that my arm never felt quite as sore as it did the first time. However, after the second, the arm pain seemed to last a bit longer; the pain when moving it eased after a day or two as it did with the first dose, but touching the vaccination site was quite painful for nearly a week after the second dose, which it wasn’t after the first dose.

 

[Jonathan]

Slightly sore arm both times, and a headache a couple of days after the first dose, but fine (Pfizer). Course, because I'm normal, I was at work a few hours after getting each vaccine, and it was rather fun trying to reach anything that was high up! Mum's had both doses of AstraZeneca, and was very unwell for a week after the first one, but was nowhere near as bad for the second. I know Dad's had his first dose (AZ), and seemed to be fine, but I'm not sure he's had his second yet - I think it's due some time this week if it hasn't been done already. I didn't feel very run down at all, and I can't work out whether a runny nose was normal (I often blow my nose more than others may), whether it was caused by wearing face coverings, whether it was caused by the vaccine, or a combination of them all. Don't think it really matters too much. Didn't have much pain when touching the vaccination site at all for either dose, which surprised me - last time I had any needles in me, there was pain around where they went in for a little while afterwards!

 

[rob666]

AZ...sick little puppy after the first, absolutely fine after the second, which seems quite common.

 

[RoyJess]

They say that the youngsters are more likely to have side effects over us oldies as us oldies are use to having the yearly flu vaccine

 

[Skyscraper]

Had my second AZ dose yesterday and have had no side effects at all, compared to very mild side effects after my first dose. Even slept pretty well, which was nice as I didn't sleep at all after my first dose.
@Matt N I was in group 6 too, due to having learning disabilities.

 

[Brad97]

Had my first dose of Pfizer yesterday, no side effects other than a sore arm.

 

[Danscott22]

Changed my vote, as I had my first Pfizer dose yesterday. Just a sore achey arm for me, and that's all. I made sure to take tablets beforehand though and six hours after to combat any potential side effects and it seems to have worked, my arm is just massively sore today, but that's as bad as it's gotten. Second dose booked for 11th August!

 

[Alolan Diglett]

I thought I’d share my experience of the AZ. Fully vaccinated (social worker so you’d expect that with me visiting people in their homes) no pressure from employer or Social Work England to get the jab whilst it was greatly encouraged.
I was very impressed with the organisation - I was at Sheffield Arena and the operation there is massive. As strange as it sounds the whole experience felt like a party people were in good spirits, stewards waving and being cheerful. It felt really positive and that collectively we were achieving something.
my jab schedule was delayed as I had COVID in January of this year

Vaccine side effects though. Wow! I was feverish for days afterwards. Hallucinating. I was running around the back garden trying to catch leprechauns on video to show my family that leprechauns existed. My arm ached for days. I spent two days in bed (I spent three days in bed with actual COVID) the injection site swelled up and I had an egg there for perhaps ten days. second dose side effects I can’t say as it was only Friday. However a present it is only a sore arm. Which considering first dose is a pleasant surprise!

 

[Jonathan]

In what’s quite a funny quirk, my parents have had both doses of AZ (Mum was bad after dose 1, but fine after dose 2, with Dad having no issues other than a sore arm). I had the Pfizer. My brothers (29 and 26) have had their first doses this week, and both got the Pfizer! It’s rather strange how it’s managed to work out in that way. They’ve reported no side-effects other than a sore arm, but that’s standard for any vaccine anyway.

 

[pluk]

Vote updated, I'm now fully vaccinated with AZ.

Nothing other than a dead arm for a couple of days last time, fingers crossed its the same this time.

 

[WickerwomanH]

First dose of moderna today, strange process when I arrived because I was sent to speak to like 5 different people, but the actual nurse was very fast which I loved because I hate needles and I'm glad she was no nonsense. Not even a sore arm at the minute so I think I'm all good! Didn't get a sticker though

 

[Danny]

Not even a sore arm at the minute so I think I'm all good!

Waaait for it.....

 

[Jonathan]

First dose of moderna today, strange process when I arrived because I was sent to speak to like 5 different people, but the actual nurse was very fast which I loved because I hate needles and I'm glad she was no nonsense. Not even a sore arm at the minute so I think I'm all good! Didn't get a sticker though

I had to wait until my second dose to get a 'brave boy' sticker, as the nurse who administered it put it. Made me chuckle.

 

[jon81uk]

I've managed to bring my second dose forward, was going to be 3rd August now 14 July.

So if you've had first doses its worth checking as can get second at 8 weeks instead of 11-12 weeks.

 

[Dipper_Dave]

I've managed to bring my second dose forward, was going to be 3rd August now 14 July.

So if you've had first doses its worth checking as can get second at 8 weeks instead of 11-12 weeks.

Me too. I heard that the 2nd jab for over 40s was brought forward as stated above, and wasn't sure if I needed to wait to be contacted and asked to rearrange it. I know those who went through their GP got a text asking them to book in earlier than planned for the 2nd, but as I had booked in via the NHS website I wasn't sure if I'd get some kind of notification when I could bring the date forward.

I got nothing, but today I logged in and the option was there to cancel my 2nd jab booking. It won't let you book the new date until you've cancelled the current one, but it shows up the next available dates before you do click to cancel and rebook, and the first possible date was precisely 8 weeks after my first one, so I booked in on that day. 20 July instead of the original 11 Aug.

Surely most adults (who want it) will be fully vaccinated by the end of Summer. What happens then about those who refused to have the vaccine? I guess they will just roll over and die if they get Covid. Not to mention won't be able to travel abroad, probably visit a pub/restaurant, etc? I had the AZ by the way. Sore arm, not much sleep for a couple of nights, better than dying though. Had mine done at local Boots. Very efficient, in and out in a few minutes & relieved to get it done. Will be even more so 2 weeks on Tues!

 

[DistortAMG]

Fully vaccinated but I am now starting to question how effective it is.

I know of 5 people now who currently have COVID, yet are all fully vaccinated. Worrying indeed. This is in one of the towns where rates are currently climbing at an alarming rate.

 

[Dipper_Dave]

Fully vaccinated but I am now starting to question how effective it is.

I know of 5 people now who currently have COVID, yet are all fully vaccinated. Worrying indeed. This is in one of the towns where rates are currently climbing at an alarming rate.

When fully vaccinated, isn’t it more a case of if you do still get Covid, you’re highly unlikely to die or get seriously ill from it, rather than that you simply can’t get it?

Though infection rates are up again, deaths and hospital admissions are way less than pre-vaccine, so it must be having a positive effect.