I Am Getting Really Anxious About The Vaccine

[ukanonymous]

I know that it isn't compulsory but when you need it to travel or do certain things so as to not stay at home I beleive it is compulsory. Also if I was rich with 20 employees I could do what I want. I am really fearful of what is coming I need to take sleeping tablets nearly every night these days. Is it just me? Rna vaccines are new and not tested and from what I understand from medical microbiology they can change your dna potentially. Is it just me that is thinking what is going to happen will be catastrophic:( I feel like mother shipton

[theprof]

The reality is that those that have had the vaccine cannot jump about and boast about their immunity. We simply don't know whether they can still infect others.

[jim360]

To answer the prof's request for links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-authorises-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine

https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-conclude-phase-3-study-covid-19-vaccine

https://www.pfizer.co.uk/behind-science-what-mrna-vaccine

Perhaps because the studies in Phase 3 haven't yet been peer reviewed or published, I can't find a journal entry. I also can hardly add any authority to theprof's reassurances, but it is manifestly obvious from his previous postings that he's deeply involved in the field, both specifically on Coronavirus for most of this year, and in general for probably some decades.

This year of all years it's understandable to be stressed and concerned. All I can say is that it is in everybody's interests that the vaccine(s) employed are successful and effective.

[Ellipsis]

> Ellipses, consider this. Vaccination does not prevent a Covid-19 positive patient that is asymptomatic from passing on the infection to others

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. I'm simply trying to reassure the OP, who is clearly anxious.

[jim360]

I suppose it depends on what your initial post meant. I took it to mean that, after months of millions people getting vaccinated, there would be no pressing need for OP to get vaccinated also, relying instead on herd immunity. If so, Theprof's point that this isn't true would mean that this is no reassurance at all, and OP should still get it.

Or did you mean that OP could wait, perhaps just by virtue of being low-priority, to see that the vaccine was safe and then be reassured to get it himself?

[Old_Geezer]

Should it come to restrictions being applied on those who want simply control of their own body, probably just wait until the law catches up on banning prejudice in such areas by the travel companies and others. How desperate are you to travel anyway ?

[woofgang]

theprof, if you don't want (or are too anxious) to wade through dense scientific text, then Snopes is generally a useful site. Its expertise lies not in the detail of science but in tracking down and refuting or verifying statements made on the internet. Similarly Fullfact. I have seen the OP post her concerns about government conspiracy theories before which I why I didn't post anything .gov or from big pharma. PP's comment was because the OP had expressed concerns about being forced to be vaccinated.
Are you OK? your response seems to be unlike your normal calm and measured prose.

[theprof]

Ellipses, the point I was trying to make is that transmission remains a very real concern despite the commencement of mass vaccination today. I have met people who are of the opinion that they can discard their masks, disregard social distancing and return to a normal lifestyle once they have had the jab and any lockdown in place is lifted. This is not the case and I'm not even prepared to give an opinion on when that will change right now. Vaccination is not a "magic bullet" but it is our best shot right now as it prevents symptoms in around 95% of potential cases thereby reducing deaths and hospital admissions dramatically. No one should hesitate to have it when their turn comes up. The sooner we are on the road to herd immunity, the better.

I do understand the anxiety issue which is a very real concern. I've had the jab myself because I've been involved in the research and I can assure everyone that I had no side effects apart from a slightly sore shoulder area for a few hours. When it's your turn for the jab, you need to take your place in the queue as there is nothing better to protect you from this virulent pathogen and I'm 100% behind it.

[Hopkirk]

Oh stop being paranoid and celebrate good news

[theprof]

Woofgang, I admire your confidence in Snopes and there is a need for such websites sometimes. However, they are not infallible and I can tell you that a sentence in an article on the site regarding MERS was untrue and did some damage in the media before it was refuted by researchers. Now, I don't expect Snopes to be infallible but I'm of the opinion that multiple sites should be sought for information including our own NHS. Many websites incite anxiety by their doom and gloom attitude over Covid-19 and I'd agree that it's not easy to find genuine information on some aspects of this disease.

I'm sorry if you felt that I did not come across with calm and measured prose last night but there are aspects of this pathogen that are causing me some concern right now. It might well have been reflected in my reply. Otherwise, I'm in good health and I'm Covid-19 free!

[woofgang]

glad to hear it!