To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.

Hello @marinameshel and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I noticed you were interested in hearing from other members regarding vaccination. We are not medical professionals, however, there are a considerable amount of resources in the COVID-19 Group where you can seek information from our Mayo Clinic experts in this space. You may be interested in the following resources as you decide what is right for you, in conjunction with your provider:

-Tackling the latest COVID-19 Topics:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/tackling-the-latest-covid-19-topics/
Have you had the antibody test and when did you test positive for COVID-19?

Hi Marina, welcome to COVID group on Mayo Clinic Connect. In this video Dr. Badley recommends that people who have had COVID should get vaccinated, They should wait 90 days after recovering from COVID-19 to get the vaccine. I believe you mentioned in another discussion that you recovered about 6 weeks ago, so that would mean you should wait for another 6-7 weeks.

Dr. Badley explains why

Here is an interesting answer -
A friend's 40 yo daughter had Covid last summer, and has been donating plasma with antibodies every 3 weeks since then. Last week, her plasma tested negative for Covid antibodies (after approximately 8 months.) She was advised to get the vaccine. She did so immediately because she is a health care provider. Her husband, a firefighter/paramedic, had Covid at the same time a she did, and he tested negative for antibodies in February & was given the vaccine.
Sue

I am a 69 year old double lobectomy cancer survivor and am unsure about getting the vaccine. I live in a rural setting on a lake with little or no contact with others. I have registered for the vaccine with my wife, but am having second thoughts.
I might wait a while as I do not believe we need to rush into this. What is wrong for letting some time pass and gaining a better perspective on the situation ?

@johnymac- Good morning and welcome to Mayo Clinic connect. As many of us have indicated on Connect we believe that everyone has to make their own choice whether to have the vaccine or not. I am a 23+ year lung cancer survivor with 2 lobes gone and chemo and radiation. I have an unusual lung adenocarcinoma it's called multifocal adenocarcinoma. I chose to have the vaccine because if I get the virus or its predominant variants I probably won't survive.

There in lies my conundrum. I would probably not survive either. Thanks for your thoughts. Cheers, be well, stay safe

Has anyone had one of the mRNA vaccines after having side effects from the regular/seasonal flu shot? I have read that the delivery system is different so Pfizer and Moderna should be safe but it’s hard to get a clear answer on that - so I’m wondering about anyone’s experience with this.

I’m sending this for my sister who does not belong to the forum but is reluctant to get the covid vaccine after bad side effects to the flu shot.

Thanks in advance.

Hello - Yes, I am one of those - I had a highly inflammatory reaction to the quadravalent flu vaccine last fall - had to up my meds, return to pain management PT and ultimately get a cortisone injection in the worst-affected joint. I had earlier reacted to the Shingrix vaccine - but concluded with my doc that these are evidence of the immune system revving up, and I shouldn't avoid vaccines.
I had the Pfizer vaccine in Jan/Feb. My reaction to the first dose was mild - headache, fatigue and aches for 2 days. My reaction to the second was an inflammatory flare of all my "usual culprits" - neck, shoulders, arms and hands - that lasted for several weeks and has since subsided. It knocked me out of commission for about 3 days, then lingered with a few bad flares for about a month and a half. I talked to my daughters who had Covid, and while I wasn't happy with the flare up, they told me it was mild compared to their Covid experiences last year.
Sue

Hello, Sue. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most if not all of the folks writing on this and other vaccine sites are patients with multiple severe medical issues. Many of these illnesses are related to the lungs, muscular/joint, neuropathy and immune/autoimmine disorders. Those are also the areas of concern with Covid-19.

It appears from our conversations that most of the problems we face after getting the vaccines are within this group of disorders. But, we have a day, 2,3 of severe symptoms ..BUT we have 1 ,2, 3 or even more days and improve.....those who get the disease live with these symptoms far longer even at times for some continuing after the illness is supposedly gone. Long-haulers. Or, they end up in hospital, ICU and may well not survive the illness. Big difference.

I have multiple autoimmune illness, Sarcoid lungs, chronic bronchitis, asthma, heart issues, PN, athritis over whole body, fibromyalgia, inflammatory problems and multiple other issues.....therefore, it is simply reasonable I choose the vaccine and have a few days of misery rather than not get vaccinated to avoid those days or couple months of discomfort and risk getting ill with the virus, possible dealing with it for the rest of my life, if I survive the illness at all.

For me, there was no discussion. I got the vaccine the very first time I could. I did have several days of discomfort, fever, but only a few days. I feel so wonderful and free now to be able to go to lunch with friends who've been vaccinated with no fear of the virus Fear is diminished and my life goes forward now. This is what we're looking for, so why are we making it into such a huge decision.....Unless there is some specific reason our doctors do not want us to take the vaccination.

I suppose I truly don't understand why the fear? I certainly question much the government does and disagree with much as well. But, some how I look at this differently. Am I mistaken? Just don't understand?

Thanks, Sue, for your wise guidance in this area. I think your calm information has helped a lot of folks remain calm and deal with the issues involved. And, the links from you, Colleen and John have been very helpful. Maybe several of those links would help folks on this site?

Blessings in your walk with better health and a good life. elizabeth

I am right there with you - both with multiple illnesses including sarcoid and a new heart and the need to know that I have some level of protection. I did experience significant muscle and joint pain after my second dose, but my desire not to be a long hauler outweighed any hesitancy and will also keep me social distancing, masking up and taking care of myself even after the vaccine. This is not over yet! Thanks for your post! 🙂