COVID Vaccines - YouLookFab Forum

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COVID Vaccines

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Everyone,

I hope this isn't a weird or stupid question to ask but I am genuinely interested.

My question comes about after reading many Instagram posts from Americans following them getting their COVID vaccinations and what they think having the vaccine means.

I am wanting to know what has been communicated to you in relation to the benefit of having the vaccine. Not so much the concept of creating herd immunity etc but how you believe it will keep you (and others) safe/safer from the virus.

For context, I am not an anti-vaxer but I do have some very serious questions about the vaccination that is currently available here in Australia.

Also there is so much misinformation around that it is a challenge to do personal due to ensure that we are fully informed and understand the choice we are making. Unfortunately our Government saying it's safe and we should all have it, isn't quite enough for me lol.

I hope it's ok to ask this. I felt this was a safe space to ask for people to share their thoughts and understanding.

xxx Deb

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71 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Synne

Veteran

I am curious how this will all play out. The narrative in my country has been double communication about "voluntary jab" but at the same time "every citizen will have had the first (of how many?) shot by August". Our government is also seriously discussing Vaccine Passport for entry in society.

Deborah

Veteran

Thank you Synne. It is very interesting how the different countries are approaching this. I am anticipating that anyone wishing to travel oversees will only be allowed to if they have been vaccinated.

I am eligible for the first round of vaccinations here due to my work, however I am choosing not to go ahead with it just yet. I have concerns about the vaccine that we are being given.

Synne

Veteran

I am at peace with never traveling internationally again. I was always more of a homebody anyway, so no big loss.

Deborah

Veteran

I know you are not joking but that is funny because I feel a little bit the same.

kkards

Veteran

Deborah, i am not a scientist or a doctor, but a lay person who is scheduled to get her 1st dose in 3 hours! And is thrilled to be doing so...here’s what I understand
the vaccine does not prevent me from getting COVID, but it does lessen the impact, (much like the flu shot) which means that the likelihood of getting really sick is very small, and the Likelihood of needing hospitalization is even smaller...it is, in other words, the ultimate way of flattening the curve. This means that we can start of loosen the restrictions of social distancing. It means that after over a year of very limited human contact, we can begin to Re-emerge.
On a personal level, its meant that my mom, who lives in a senior community can get out of her apartment and met and mingle with friends again, it meant that my sisters and i were able to celebrate Passover with her (my mom and sisters were all vaccinated before).
I hope that answered your question

Deborah

Veteran

@kkards thank you for responding. And yes that all makes sense and is what I understand too. One of the reasons I am asking is that some people are communicating in a manner that suggests that they think that having the vaccine means they are immune to covid when that is not true. Made me wonder how and what is being communicated. Stay safe and well xx

ophelia

Veteran

Deborah,
Doesn’t Australia have 2 vaccines approved, Pfizer & AZ? I have heard there is some worry in UK about AZ.
I am in the US & our situation is FAR different from yours.
We have had unchecked community spread & a huge loss in our elder population. Our gov & population has been either unwilling or unable to stop it. I have 2 coworkers who died, my friend’ mother, my next-door neighbor, & a dear friend’s beloved father.
It *appears* vaccination prevents or lowers ability to transmit. As one of our more trustworthy public health officials said, “Get the vaccine not for yourself, but for others.”

ophelia

Veteran

Also meant to add that you are entirely correct. A lot of people in the US think that the vax prevents them from getting Covid or that they are “95% protected.” More messaging is being given out by public health officials now we have a new administration-& a CEO of a local hospital has been on the news regularly trying to clarify, exhausted doctors have been messaging all along but, errr.. good luck to them.

Liz

Veteran

Rather than hearing articles, commentators, or scientists make claims that the vaccine means you are immune from the possibility of getting the virus, I feel like the messaging is chock full of hedging, caution, warning (and even doom) about surges, variants, risks, continued vigilance regarding masking and distancing, etc. I'm seeing headlines every day about "X number of cases in our region seen in fully vaccinated people" or "3 Fully vaccinated people die of virus..." or "Here is how I caught the virus even after I was vaccinated..."

slim cat

Veteran

I'd gladly get vaccinated when possible to be able to travel to my mom in Moscow and feel safer there ( not sure how I feel about Russian vac - I think it was rushed ). My mom is not getting a shot for variety of health reasons ( she is 88 years old ).
Personally I'd feel a lot safer being vaccinated - 6 months of stronger protection from coronavirus is good for me.

JAileen

Veteran

I got the J&J. What it means to me: I’m unlikely to get Covid, but if I were to get it, I wouldn’t be hospitalized or die. What more could I ask for?

I’m three weeks out, and per the CDC, I’ll be at max immunity at four weeks. So after next weekend, I’m scheduled for a hair cut, and I’ll be working at our nonprofit’s thrift store.

rachylou

Veteran

By and large, I’ve found the communication about the vaccines quite poor - mostly just assertions that ‘it’s safe.’ You have to dig deep for ingredients, mechanism, contraindications, side effects - and the meaning of the side effects. For example, they always say ‘pain at injection site,’ which could mean simply you were poked with a needle or something else. I’m in California. They are doing three here - Pfizer, Moderna and J&J. After all my digging, my conclusion is they lessen severity of illness and risk of death. Perhaps to the point of no symptoms at all. Unknown is their effect on new variants and the long term effects of the mRNA technique. I personally weighed unknown long term effects v the known immediate danger of covid and decided the known acute danger is dangerous enough to act now. ‘Die now’ or ‘maybe die’ later. If you’re on any medications or have had other vaccinations recently, I’d ask your doctor about what to do and when.

If your country is using one of the Russian or Chinese vaccines, I’d also ask about that. It’s coming out now that the Chinese vaccine isn’t that effective. I don’t know what they’re going to do about that.

kellygirl

Veteran

My understanding is that it lessens the effects if you contract Covid. For me, personally, it allows me more freedom to associate with friends and family. I'm not sure about what the long term effects of the mRNA alteration but I figure there are people smarter than me out there who know what they're doing...

Jules

Veteran

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SarahD8

Veteran

I am in the United States and will be thrilled to get any of the 3 vaccines offered here (moderna, pfizer/biotech, or j&j) as soon as I am able. (I become eligible at the end of this week but expect it will take a while before I am able to get an appointment.)

My understanding is that all of the vaccines:
- greatly reduce my chances of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2, including new variants of concern
-virtually eliminate the chance of my becoming seriously ill, being hospitalized, or dying if I am infected
-greatly reduce the chances of my transmitting the virus to others if I become infected.

After being vaccinated, I will continue to wear masks and practice social distancing in public until vaccination rates are high and/or transmission of the virus is low in my community.

I have zero concerns about long-term side effects from the mRNA vaccines.

Anonymous

My understanding is that the vaccine will dramatically lessen my chances of getting COVID19, and if I do get it, it will not be as life-threatening as it would if I hadn't gotten it. That's what my physician relayed to me. Also, if fewer people are getting Covid, or not getting severe cases of it, the virus will not overwhelm the ability of our health care system to care for our population. (I've received both doses of the Moderna vaccine.)

Anonymous

I've received my first dose of Pfizer and have understood that should I get Covid19, full vaccination will prevent me from becoming seriously ill.

I accept the idea that there is still a lot of virus out there, and therefore a lot of opportunity for it to mutate and I don't expect to be mask-less in public anytime soon.

Anonymous

I would never presume to know more about vaccines and their efficacy and effects than a scientist , and would never say “ no thanks “ to something developed to get this virus under control both in the short and long term . I’m also smart enough to know the difference between science based information and that spread by laypeople . I have no inclination to think there is an ulterior motive other than public health and safety . I should be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine in about a month . We’re currently booking for age 60 and under .

Sal

Veteran

I think Sarah probably summed up my views on the vaccines. NZ is getting Pfizer - it is a slow process here.

I think in NZ and Australia we don’t quite realise the severity of the situation in much of the world, and how terrible it has been.

The virus also is worse for those in poverty or crowded living conditions.

ETA: What I mean by my last statement is that I feel a community responsibility to be vaccinated to protect more vulnerable people. Those working on the frontline, in essential jobs, or who can't isolate easily because of their home conditions.

Runcarla

Veteran

To understand the numbers (in Canada) I did some math and figured that the number of dead in our country from the disease is like crashing one 747 every week of the past year - with no survivors. Except that before they died, the sick were processed through our health care system. Then, there were all the sick who required care and survived - some with consequences, and some without. Canada was slow to get and distribute vaccines. Our health care system is now reaching capacity as we encounter a 3rd wave. In Ontario, hospitals have cancelled all surgeries and health care workers are being redeployed to Covid assignments.

I have accepted vaccines as part of my health care plan and understand the science behind them. I signed up for Covid vaccination within one hour of qualifying, and have an appointment for my first jab next week. Getting vaccinated means if I do get exposed to the virus, I am less likely to get seriously ill or die. I am less likely to burden the health care system, or suffer long term consequences of getting sick. If enough people do the same, lock downs will ease and privileges like getting a haircut, going to the library, eating in a restaurant, going to the gym, playing cards with friends, attending a concert - will be restored. My 83 yo mother will be able to get cataract surgery, so that she can once again read and make art. My sons can return to work, or attend college courses in person, and get together with friends they haven’t seen in person in over a year.

Glory

Veteran

Im also in Canada. I am in a high risk group because I had cancer this year. On top of that I had a life threatening allergic reaction to one of the chemoagents which is flagged as an issue with the vaccine. So I’m terrified about that but I’m planning to get the shot tomorrow if the oncologist gives me the go ahead. Fingers crossed they say yes.

Elle

Veteran

My understanding (from my doctor and the staff at the university where I got vaccinated) is that by being vaccinated, I am much less likely to get and/or transmit Covid and that if I do get it, my chances of being hospitalized or dying from it are significantly reduced.

Covid is a terrible disease and I've known people who have been seriously ill and have had friends of friends who have died. So I got the Moderna vaccine as soon as I was eligible and although fully immunized, I still wear masks to protect others. I know that vaccines, like any other medication, always have some risks but I felt that the risks of the pandemic were so great that I have no regrets. I did have some common side effects after my second shot (headache, fatigue) but honestly, I would take the vaccine again in a heartbeat.

Runcarla

Veteran

Another thought. Even if you live in an area that has relatively low incidence, or the resources to self isolate in comfort - it doesn’t necessarily keep you ‘safe’. As the world opens up, so will occasions for the virus to be transported.

I live in a charming small town with very low incidence of Covid and enjoyed a greater degree of freedom than regions that were hit harder by the epidemic. As a result, refugees from the restricted areas travelled to our community to access the services they couldn’t get in their own. Some stores and facilities were asking to see driver’s licenses and turned away folks who were from outside the region. Now the local hospital has Covid patients from the Big City 100k away.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have not read this whole thread yet, but I'm going to give you my perspective. Please keep in mind that my viewpoint is very shaped by trusting science. Two of my closest friends work in the medical field: one is a general surgeon who currently specializes in breast surgery for cancer patients. The other is a biomedical engineer and project manager for one of the major pharmaceutical companies who is currently producing and distributing one of the three main vaccines available here in the states. Another of my close friends is a PhD, Fulbright Scholar medical historian, specializing in plague and communicable disease, and currently works as a speechwriter for the head of the NIH.

I know that these vaccines were produced in record time, but keep in mind that they were not starting from square one: the pharma companies had a lot of preexisting knowledge and research from existing flu vaccines. Are the vaccines perfect? Likely, no. But I'd rather take the shots and lessen my chances of getting a bad infection of Covid-19 which may have long-lasting effects. I know many people who have lost loved ones to the virus -- I know no one who has lost anyone to the vaccine. We need to continue to practice good distancing, hygiene, and other practices, but I also believe we need to work on getting the maximum level of the public vaccinated to tamp down the possibilities of virus variants and mutations wreaking more havoc.

I'm just an artist, not a scientist, but I read and listen to a LOT about this. All of my trusted sources point me in the direction of getting the vaccine. The people I know who are refusing it are largely being swayed in that direction by misinformation and skewed reporting, or peer pressure from certain groups (ahem, my husband's family in Texas, even though his cousin's father just died a few days ago from Covid).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You have to be careful with what you read about anything these days. Trust the science and source.

I understand things similarly to Kelly, JAileen, Elle, Xtabay, Sal, Phoebe, Janet and SarahDH.

We have three vaccines in the US as kkards mentioned (Pfizer, Moderna, J&J). Greg and I had our first jab last week, and will have the second on April 28. Pfizer. I will be very relieved when we are fully vaccinated. But masking up and taking precautions will continue.

Anonymous

Deborah - what other evidence or scientific information are you looking for ? Does your government not have trustworthy public health doctors ?

rachylou

Veteran

I’ll put out there that I personally wanted to know about contraindications v my personal health. What’s true in general may or not be true for the individual. I have a whole bunch of autoimmune diseases, am on an immunosuppressant, and have a lovely family history of stroke. I was totally concerned about provoking my immune system (again), the problem of the immunosuppressant, the potential for blood clotting with the AZ, and the weakness of the J&J. I got the Pfizer... my only wish in this regard is I wished I’d known how strong the response could be ... messed with my blood sugars and thus my digestive system for a week. That’s never happened to me before with a vaccine. A diabetic needs to monitor like it was a sick day and have extra insulin on hand.

Sloper

Veteran

I'm in agreement with the general thoughts of the thread.

Importantly, that the vaccine is based on decades of research for other viruses and over a century of vaccine development.

In no way ever have I seen any official entity firmly state that the vaccines will prevent anyone from getting COVID. I think every reasonable and informed person understands that the vaccines will greatly lessen the risk of getting COVID, and if you do get COVID, your chances of a severe reaction are diminished.

Liz comments about the recent stories of vaccinated people testing positive. Well of course - no one said no one would ever get COVID if they were vaccinated. And it takes 2 weeks to develop immunity, and perhaps these people didn't continue to exercise caution, etc.
https://www.webmd.com/vaccines.....id-cases-a

I'm grateful that my nursing-home-bound elderly MIL has had her two shots, and that my husband's health plan quickly and efficiently got him vaccinated with the one-shot J&J as soon as his age tier was eligible.

I'm hoping to get vaccinated later this month - unfortunately my immune system is whacked from leukemia treatments (chemo and bone marrow transplant, and lots of immune suppressant meds). Waiting for my oncologist to give the OK. I am concerned about possible adverse effects from the vaccine, given the particulars of my own condition, so I'm discussing with my docs and doing research (from responsible sources).

Ugh, I feel like I'm scolding you here!

Janet - I have in-laws in Texas - I hear you!!!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Sloper, it's frustrating -- my husband has actually had arguments with his mother, since she has said she doesn't want to get the vaccine. And his brother has had Covid already so he thinks he doesn't need the vaccine. Sigh.

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