Vaccination

[watervole]

 ON Wednesday, I got a text message saying I could book a vaccination. So I grabbed a slot on Thursday morning. (I'm over 60 and asthmatid)

It was a nine mile round trip bike ride on a freezing sub-zero day, but since I've got the electric bike, I've got far more in the habit of doing local journeys by bike rather than by car.

Trousers, thermal leggings, and a pair of over-trousers, combined with warm jumpers and a jacket meant that I arrived with nothing worse than cold ears.

The whole thing was very well set up, with lots of helpers guiding people round and checking details.  Only a few minutes queueing, then, in, jabbed and a ten min sit down just to ensure no one had allergic reactions or other adverse effects.

I had the Pfizer jab, and they'll contact me when I'm due for the second one - whenever that may be....

 

Side effects of vaccine. Sore arm, about 24 hours of being a bit shaky and clumsy, and a bad night's sleep.

I suspect my reaction may be greater because I've already had Covid - so my body probably kicks in much faster. Perhaps someone with better knowledge of biology can tell me if I'm right/wrong on that one?

 

 

Comments

[coth]

Glad to hear.

B got his letter today. Glad for that too.

[history_monk]

Good to hear both of those.

[eledonecirrhosa]

Certainly if there is something in the vaccine your immune system recognises, it'll say "Hang on a minute, that looks like... Awoogha! Awoogha! All hands to the pumps!", so it'll be diverting resources to your immune system quicker than if you've encountered a new infection.

I used to work with a guy who had to have typhoid boosters every few years, because of doing lab work on (potentially) typhoid infested samples. He said every time he got a booster vaccination, his body ramped up the "flu-like" response. Once he came back to the lab after a couple of days of feeling wretched and declared he'd rather have typhoid next time. :-)

[watervole]

Had to laugh!

Though having read Mary Seacole's descriptions of nursing typhoid victims...

[kotturinn]

Good to hear. Responses seem to vary widely both in those who know/strongly suspect they've had Covid-19 and the reverse. I'm still waiting to hear - it seems to be incredibly patchy round here as to what groups are being called.

[ex_peasant441]

Good to hear.

[igenlode]

I find I normally have to take *off* warm clothing before getting on my bicycle, since as it's not electric the cycling process involves vigorous activity! I did eleven miles yesterday having made the conscious decision not to put on my neck-gaiter (which I am currently wearing for walks instead), and found it was the right choice; I was wearing a cardigan over a sleeveless jumper so that I could unzip my clothing if necessary, but managed not to overheat for once. My toes got extremely cold, especially the right foot which I am in the habit of using to stand on at traffic-lights, and were too numb to walk on when I returned, but to my surprise my ears, which were completely uncovered, were fine. I suppose all the body heat must have been venting upwards -- I wouldn't have cared to do it in three pairs of trousers, though. As it was my bare knees got a little chilly...

Yes, anyone with active Covid antibodies tends to have a worse reaction to vaccination (and the second vaccination is worse even in those who haven't had it, for the same reason ). But the majority of people I've heard from seem to have an unpleasant side-effect on top of the usual sore arm, up to and including vomiting and 24 hours of high fever, so you seem to have been one of the relatively lucky ones.

[word_geek]

My mum discovered when she got her jab letter that she could not have the vaccine immediately because they won't give it within 4 weeks of you having COVID, which suggests that yes, your immune system is likely to react more strongly.

She has now made her appointment, though (Wednesday)

H