Mum suffers rare reaction to virus jab
BY SARAH VESTY
A MUM fears she may have been left permanently disfigured after suffering an extreme reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Liz Matheson told how her face doubled in size within hours of receiving the first dose of the coronavirus inoculation last month.
The 56-year-old soon developed a painful, burning rash on her wrists which has since spread to her elbows over the last three-and-ahalf weeks.
She was given several rounds of powerful steroids, antihistamines and antibiotics in a bid to help reduce the painful side-effects which left her unable to eat or sleep.
Liz, from Glencaple near Dumfries, said she is “petrified” at the thought of getting the second dose of the vaccine and fears her face has been permanently scarred.
The mum-of-two said: “I went for my jag on March 17.
“That night, my arm was a wee bit sore and uncomfortable but when I woke the next morning, my face had doubled in size. It was really hot – I felt like somebody had put my head in an oven.
“It was burning and I couldn’t stand any heat near me at all. I felt like my face was on fire.”
The NHS insists the vaccine is safe and cases of allergic reaction are “very rare”.
A spokesman for NHS Dumfries and Galloway said: “NHS Dumfries and Galloway cannot comment on individual cases.
“As always, we would encourage anyone with a concern or complaint to contact the Patient Services Team in the first instance by phoning 01387 272733 or emailing dg.feedback@nhs.scot.
AstraZeneca said: “We are not able to comment on individual cases.”