Covid-19 Vaccination - Side Effects, My Experience

My GP is fantastic. He is very engaged with his patients and uses Facebook to provide updates on Covid-19 vaccines. In the last few weeks, my area was ahead of the national average and it became apparent (via my GP's updates) that no further vaccine was expected before Feb 22nd. That has subsequently been updated to Feb 26th. So, my hopes of getting the jab were put aside for a while. I didn't mind, I knew my turn would come.

Fast-forward to last Friday (Feb 19th). News reached me that a clinic within my postcode was accepting patients who are eligible for the jab. As a Type 1 Diabetic, I am a part of Cohort 6 in England. That means I was eligible. I booked the appointment online for the following day! A mix of nerves and excitement hit me. I think more excitement than nerves. I'm used to having vaccines. I've had my flu jab, each year, for a while now. The nerves arose from being in a public place with people. Actual people. Attending an appointment for something which will ultimately allow me to do that very thing without fear.

You've probably read about the experiences of others who have had their vaccines. It seems that organisation is as good as it can be for the majority. No surprises, here. Same. I was told to wait for 5 minutes before my appointment time before joining the queue. It took a little longer than 5 minutes before it was my turn. A mix of people were in the line. My cohorts! and some clearly from cohorts relating to age. Shut it! They're not my cohorts! I'm in the young diabetic group.

The jab was no more painful than a bolus injection. I was handed some paperwork (the one in the pic) and a little card, detailing the type of vaccine I've had and the date. Then freedom! Well, not quite. Back to lockdown.

Then, nothing happened. I don't really know what I was expecting. I was expecting something! Tick-tock! Where is the headache? The feeling rough? Perhaps I've got away with it. 

No. 2am, Sunday morning. Something exploded. I was woken by violent shaking in my chest. That spread quickly throughout my body, followed by the coldest I have ever felt. It was horrible. After a few hours of questioning my decision to have the jab and wondering if this is a normal side effect and spooning a hot water bottle to within an inch of it's rubbery life, I fell asleep. The rest of the night was spent waking and sleeping, tossing and turning, freezing and sweating.

When I tried to get out of bed on Sunday morning, it was then that I noticed everything hurts. Every bone in my body was aching. I spent the day taking paracetamol and ibuprofen and sleeping. The side effects started to subside as the evening approached. Eventually, I went to bed at around midnight. Only at that stage did I feel confident that things were improving.

Now, here we are. Approaching 48 hours after the jab. I'm almost my usual self. A little weak, perhaps but nothing to write a blog about... Oh, right. 

I do not regret having the vaccine, AstraZeneca - if you're interested. Over 120,000 people have died within 28 days of having a positive Covid test, at present in the UK. I know that b*stard virus has touched people I know. I know it's taken their family members and friends. I know people have suffered tremendously on many levels. If my day or two of feeling rough is my experience of Covid-19 then I'll take that gladly. 

Others have had no side effects at all. We're all different. Please don't fear getting your jab. Do the right thing.