Vaccine Rollout in Australia - personal accounts.

[Denali]

Drove hubby to Olympic Park today for his 2nd jab (mine is next week) and Ive driven my car so little in the last 8 weeks that my battery died while waiting so I had to phone NRMA to replace but hubby's tshirt was a win with the healthcare staff - quite a few asked where from and some even took pics with him (slightly distanced).

Oh and staff gave him a mask and asked him to put it over his mask while inside, I guess they dont trust the variety of home made or type of mask at this point.

Now for that Covid hair..... he's desperate for his hot towel shave & barber.

 

[Seat0B]

Drove hubby to Olympic Park today for his 2nd jab (mine is next week) and Ive driven my car so little in the last 8 weeks that my battery died while waiting so I had to phone NRMA to replace but hubby's tshirt was a win with the healthcare staff - quite a few asked where from and some even took pics with him (slightly distanced).

Oh and staff gave him a mask and asked him to put it over his mask while inside, I guess they dont trust the variety of home made or type of mask at this point.

Now for that Covid hair..... he's desperate for his hot towel shave & barber.

you called the NRMA??Surely in the vaccine thread you mean the mRNA . Love the team AZ shirt - where did he get it?

 

[Denali]

you called the NRMA??Surely in the vaccine thread you mean the mRNA . Love the team AZ shirt - where did he get it?

Etsy but Im guessing there will be local sellers by now: Team Astrazeneca Shirt Team Pfizer Shirt Team Moderna | Etsy

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Just wanted to share a quick follow-up to my previous post, in case it may have dissuaded anyone from getting the jab. My symptoms deteriorated a little over the last few days, so went straight to my local emergency clinic. A second ECG appears to be more suggestive of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, which, despite the coincidental timing, has no correlation/causation to the jab. Stuck with a heart-rate monitor over the weekend and then off to a cardiologist next week. Some mixed emotions at at the moment, pericarditis hasn't been ruled out entirely and perhaps would have been the favourable diagnosis, but will be able to report back sometime next week with some more certainty (hopefully..).

Well done and thank you to everyone who continues to get their jabs!

What can I say, it has certainly been a long couple of weeks since my last update. After way too many tests (5 ECGs, 3 echocardiograms, 2 xrays and countless blood tests), both my cardiologist and the emergency department have once again (re)confirmed the initial diagnosis of pericarditis.

It's a really unfortunate and tricky situation to be in on a number of fronts. Firstly, the strong medical advice at this point is to delay my second jab. Sadly this means no freedoms for me once NSW starts to open up, and obviously reduced immunity from catching the disease. Secondly, a common treatment for pericarditis, corticosteroids, is not recommended as it is an immunosuppressant and therefore may reduce the efficacy of the first jab I received a month ago. So, basically a trade-off between speeding up recovery of the pericarditis and risking the chance of reduce immunity to covid. Thirdly, the trade-off between a second pfizer jab vs an AZ jab instead. Of course the risk of TTS is low with AZ, but the risk of heart inflammation was equally as low with pfizer... sigh.

Sorry for what I hope doesn't come across as a rant - it has been a long and stressful few weeks. Keep getting vaccinated folks, but keep an eye out for any side effects and discuss any concerns with your GP.

 

[Seat0B]

What can I say, it has certainly been a long couple of weeks since my last update. After way too many tests (5 ECGs, 3 echocardiograms, 2 xrays and countless blood tests), both my cardiologist and the emergency department have once again (re)confirmed the initial diagnosis of pericarditis.

It's a really unfortunate and tricky situation to be in on a number of fronts. Firstly, the strong medical advice at this point is to delay my second jab. Sadly this means no freedoms for me once NSW starts to open up, and obviously reduced immunity from catching the disease. Secondly, a common treatment for pericarditis, corticosteroids, is not recommended as it is an immunosuppressant and therefore may reduce the efficacy of the first jab I received a month ago. So, basically a trade-off between speeding up recovery of the pericarditis and risking the chance of reduce immunity to covid. Thirdly, the trade-off between a second pfizer jab vs an AZ jab instead. Of course the risk of TTS is low with AZ, but the risk of heart inflammation was equally as low with pfizer... sigh.

Sorry for what I hope doesn't come across as a rant - it has been a long and stressful few weeks. Keep getting vaccinated folks, but keep an eye out for any side effects and discuss any concerns with your GP.

Thank you for updating, and I don’t hear it as a rant at all. I think you’ve been very balanced and moderate. I feel very sad for you because this puts you in a compromised and uncomfortable position, all through no fault or choice of your own.

please be very careful of your health.

 

[CMA222]

Visited the NSW Government Vaccination Centre at Sydney Olympic Park today for AZ #2. There were constantly moving lines of people waiting for Pfizer and a total of 8 recipients in the AZ "Pod" while I was there. 4 of the 8 would have been under 60. There was about 12 people administering the AZ jabs but they were sitting around with nothing to do. I am now fully 5G compliant and presumably in the two weeks it takes the jab to become fully operative my 5G enabled phone reception will move from 4G to 5G !!

 

[Jenya]

I am considering AZ as booster shot on top of 2 Pfizer jabs.
But not now, in case borders finally open I'd definitely do it couple of weeks before leaving overseas. It would be more then 6 month since last Pfizer by that time.

 

[Lynda2475]

I am considering AZ as booster shot on top of 2 Pfizer jabs

As previously announced AZ is being phased out of the vax plan by end of the year, you can still request it if you are running late on second dose, but it was never part of the booster plan. Boosters will be Pfizer and Moderna (and possibly Novovax but only if it ever actually gets approved).

 

[SYD]

As previously announced AZ is being phased out of the vax plan by end of the year, you can still request it if you are running late on second dose, but it was never part of the booster plan. Boosters will be Pfizer, Moderna and possibly Novovax but only if it ever actually gets approved.

Moderna just received provisional TGA approval for 12 yo+

TGA Provisional Approval of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to include 12-17 years age group

The TGA has granted provisional approval to Moderna Australia Pty Ltd in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax (elasomeran), for individuals aged 12 years and over.

www.tga.gov.au

 

[Amanad78]

Took my 2x 15 yr olds and 17 yr old for their first Pfizer today. 12-15, was a bit worried about taking them a bit early but they got their jabs without any extra questions. This is in QLD at a state hub. 2nd jabs booked for 3.5 weeks as that was the earliest appointment available.
They made my husband use one of their masks as he was wearing a cloth one.
In and out in about 40 mins including the 15 minute observation period.

 

[Seat0B]

Mr Seat 0A had second AZ yesterday. Not a single side effect so far. But I have been able to 5G hotspot from him and he said he feels weirdly compliant to suggestions from the government

 

[justinbrett]

Second Pfizer jab yesterday. No side effects from the first jab and woke up today (day after the second) feeling fine.

Come lunch time and it hits me like a freight train - fatigue, muscle aches and severe chills. Progressively worse as the afternoon went on and by dinner it was like a severe flu and basically couch-ridden.

According to the health website all the symptoms are normal with 2nd Pfizer. I think the strong flu symptoms are more rare but they do mention it.

I think I’ll see how I feel tomorrow and maybe get a test just in case as there are cases in my area.

Obviously nothing to regret as covid would be much worse.

 

[Denali]

Currently sitting in a tent at Olympic Park... Looks like the AZ people moved to a outside pod and there's a queue to get into the tent. The tent houses 30 seats, 3 x 10 rows.

All sitting like good little sheep..... but it reminds me of disaster movies where the special/essential people are waiting for their space shuttle to take off to save the human race . There is no hope if we're it.

Security called because a older man isn't happy about something but he has all the check in stickers so non security staff trying to calm him down.

Another woman, who is obviously middle eastern, is speaking to someone, which prompts the question how does she get her jab and respect her beliefs as she's completely covered, including gloved hands. They have private rooms somewhere?

 

[Pushka]

Currently sitting in a tent at Olympic Park... Looks like the AZ people moved to a outside pod and there's a queue to get into the tent. The tent houses 30 seats, 3 x 10 rows.

All sitting like good little sheep..... but it reminds me of disaster movies where the special/essential people are waiting for their space shuttle to take off to save the human race . There is no hope if we're it.

Security called because a older man isn't happy about something but he has all the check in stickers so non security staff trying to calm him down.

Another woman, who is obviously middle eastern, is speaking to someone, which prompts the question how does she get her jab and respect her beliefs as she's completely covered, including gloved hands. They have private rooms somewhere?

There are such rooms everywhere. Even drive through jab places eg for truckers in some hubs.

 

[Must...Fly!]

They have private rooms somewhere?

I'm sure they would. As much as I disagree with such cultural practices it is very encouraging to see people like that come out for vaccination!

 

[Denali]

I'm sure they would. As much as I disagree with such cultural practices it is very encouraging to see people like that come out for vaccination!

It's not my cup of tea but I'm sure my obesity isn't her life choice either. Her husband was with her, carrying a newborn by the looks of bub, so being safer for bub would be a great incentive I would have thought.

And a vaccination gift! Didn't get anything for #1

 

[Katie]

14yo Teen is now booked into the latest Max Vax hub in Brisbane this weekend for their first jab. Hope to book the second at the end of the school hols.

 

[Lynda2475]

urrently sitting in a tent at Olympic Park

That tent has been there for months, earlier on it was being used for priority people (extra invitation places above those bookable by public), AZ used to go upstairs with ground floor rooms for Pfizer. But with special invites going to Qdos now and more pfizer doses available, seems AZ been moved outside to the tent as would be the smallest group, to serve more Pfizer inside.

 

[Denali]

Yesterday AZ jab# 2 and for the first approx 90mins I felt strange pins and needles on the underside of my left arm and lower leg. Not constant but enough to think, "Thats unusual. Thats not happened before". No pins and needles to my fingers or hand. But it passed in about 90mins.

Unlike jab #1, where I had a headache for 3 days, so far nothing else.

 

[Katie]

14yo Teen is now booked into the latest Max Vax hub in Brisbane this weekend for their first jab. Hope to book the second at the end of the school hols.

A nice update to the systems at the Qld Health hubs since I had my first jab in early June - the teen was automatically booked in for their second jab three weeks later. The appt was generated when the nurse who delivered the vax clicked <whatever> on the computer screen.

Then, during the 15min mandatory waiting time, there was a person in the area who could help reschedule your automatic appt if the date/time didn't suit.

Nice to see some optimisation occurring! (Esp after Mr Katie grumbling about all of the waiting we had to do - he had his jabs at the local doctor's clinic, which the Teen and I weren't able to do at the times we got ours. The whole procedure at Boondall took about 1.5 hours on Sat around lunchtime).