By Danielle Kutchel
When it comes to Covid-19, it looks like vaccination is the key to getting life back on track.
The Doherty Institute earlier this month released modelling that showed that high rates of vaccination are our pathway out of the pandemic.
But as someone under 30 in a non-frontline role I’ve been languishing at the bottom of the vaccination priority heap for months.
Originally I had hoped to have received the ol’ one-two shot by August or September, but as time went on and Australia missed its vaccination targets, that began to look increasingly unlikely.
But the health advice stated that as someone so young, I should continue waiting for Pfizer.
Now, here’s the thing: I didn’t actually care what vaccine I got. Both AstraZeneca and Pfizer have demonstrated high rates of effectiveness at reducing hospitalisation and death. I’m worried that if I were to be unlucky enough to catch Covid, especially Delta, I’d end up on my stomach on a vent, which isn’t exactly a life goal to say the least.
But facing an interminable wait to be Pfully Pfizered, I decided the time was right to take matters into my own hands.
I spent a lot of time looking at the numbers: the number of AZ vaccines dosed out overseas, the number of people with Covid both here and in other countries, and of course, the number of people who got the dreaded – and now infamous – AZ-related clots.
After satisfying myself as to the incredibly low risk of side effects, I booked in an appointment with my GP to check that there were no red flags in my medical history. They gave me the all-clear too, along with a choice: I could hold out for a bit longer in case Pfizer eligibility was expanded, or I could go now and, with their blessing, get the AZ.
For me, with cases rising around the country, Delta-not-Goodrem demonstrating much easier transmissibility and Victoria back in lockdown, the choice was easy: AZ it was.
I’m now almost a week post-vaccine and, touch wood, feeling fine.
I’m not going to lie – the first 24 hours, when the full force of those flu-like symptoms barrelled into me, were not pleasant. I highly recommend taking the day off work after your first AZ shot. It wasn’t entirely unexpected of course and the nurse did warn me I would feel sick that night. Cold and flu tabs were very helpful.
Speaking of the nurses, they were great. The whole team at the mass vaccination hub at Cranbourne was friendly and informed, and took plenty of time to go through very stringent checks before pulling out the needle. They were happy to answer any questions I had and made sure I knew I had the right to tap out right down to the last second.
They’ve been seeing thousands of young people book in across the Monash Health-run vaccination sites since the State Government opened AZ bookings to under 40s.
Nurse Bec McLochlan from the Cranbourne hub told me that, from a healthcare worker’s perspective, vaccinations are essential to protect the entire healthcare system.
“We’ve seen overseas healthcare systems that are overrun with all the sick Covid patients,” she said.
“We’ve been very lucky in Australia that it hasn’t been that severe.
“It would be great if everyone could get vaccinated. The only way we’re going to get back to a normal life is to be vaccinated.”
It’s an odd feeling, knowing you’ve got these new antibodies coursing through your system. Think about it; think about what the world’s incredible team of scientists managed to do in the space of a year, confronted with a challenge like none the world has ever faced. What a thing to be a part of, even if my part is just to sit and take on the results of their work.
I guess that’s why I get so mad at the anti-vax and anti-mask types floating around – what a slap in the face for our scientists, their knowledge, their research and the long hours they spent working on this solution for 7 billion people who had their lives placed on pause by this virus.
But you know what? I don’t want to dwell on them. I’m confident that Australians are comfortable with taking this life-changing vaccination as soon as they can. I’m proud to be among the rapidly growing percentage of Australians who have had a jab.
I’m looking forward to getting out of lockdown and getting back into life (and maybe even finally getting married). How about you?
For more information on vaccines, visit health.gov.au or coronavirus.vic.gov.au, or speak with your GP.
