In late January/ early February I was hospitalized with what appeared later to be Covid 19–this was beforeTrump admitted it had left China and we knew what to look for.
I have been was tested repeatedly, up through yesterday, but have never received a formal diagnosis. I asked my nurse if I had it and she said yes, but they keep testing me. My situation:
Very overweight
66 years old
Asthmatic and on oxygen
Reside in a nursing home
So, should I get the shot, or should I leave it for some needier person?
IANAD, and I don’t know your condition beyond what you described, but in my view:
Yes, and
If you’re assessed to be in a priority group to get early access, there’s a good medical reason for that, so listen to the doctors! It may save your life.
Well, there are reasons why one might not want to get the vaccine. The UK was advising people with allergies not to get it based on the experience of a couple of nurses who had allergic reactions.
Dude… you ARE one of the “needier”. Get the damn shot when it’s offered! I would really miss your posts if you weren’t here anymore. If they won’t give you a proper diagnosis of having had it then you have every right to protect yourself by accepting a vaccination when offered.
Last I heard they still aren’t sure what exactly triggered the allergic reactions that put two people in the hospital so they’re advising EVERYONE with “significant allergic reaction” history to avoid the shot for now until they know more.
Guess I’m kind of relieved to have had covid and recovered because with two anaphylaxis allergic reactions in my past I guess I’d be on the “avoid this shot” list.
That said - allergic reactions to vaccines are rare. If the OP has no such history then he should get the shot if offered. Unless they come up with some other medical disqualification before then. Outside of that, there’s no reason not to be vaccinated.
I’m a bit concerned about the long term safety data (for which, there obviously is none as there has not been any long term). This is a new technology (RNA vaccines), not just a new vaccine. I have specific concerns about the mechanism of action.
That said, if I were in your situation, the risk of COVID outweighs those concerns, and I would get the vaccine. For healthy, younger people, I would wait a bit. That said, healthy, younger people have to wait a bit anyway.
I suppose that it’s conceivable that the vaccine crew will show up one day to dropzone’s facility, but without enough doses to cover everyone. In that case, I suppose it would make some sense to prioritize the high-risk residents who certainly haven’t had it yet over the high-risk residents who might possibly have already had it.
But in that situation, the vaccine crew would be coming back to the facility with more doses very soon, because high-risk folks, even those who might possibly have already had it, are still very high-priority. At most it would mean a slight delay.
Some sources are suggesting that the vaccine is contraindicated for people with previous COVID infection.
If I had a previous COVID diagnosis, I wouldn’t get the vaccine without consulting with my physician to learn whether it’s safe and indicated. She knows my medical history, if she says get it, then I’d get it. Otherwise no.
I don’t have a previous infection nor any known contraindications, so I’m going to get it without consulting a physician. (assuming it’s available to me).
Since the OP is in a nursing home, they should have a protocol for what would happen if a patient had a reaction, and yes, you should get it and in fact are pretty much at the top of the triage list.
I’m personally not planning to get it until and unless we know more about its safety and efficacy, but I’m not going to advise someone not to get it.