DESPERATE FIGHT TO GET PFIZER
SHEENAGH Neill was hospitalised and barely able to walk after her first AstraZeneca dose, followed by a months-long push to receive Pfizer as her second jab, which has finally paid off.
The 60-year-old was eager to receive her jab in early May – her underlying health condition meant she was vulnerable to Covid-19 and she had hoped the vaccine would allow enough protection to visit her daughter interstate.
But her adverse reaction to AstraZeneca saw her rushed in an ambulance in debilitating pain to the Royal Hobart Hospital.
“I had brain fog, a temperature, I slept for 15 hours, I had stomach cramps, a massive headache and pain around the injection site,” Ms Neill said.
Ms Neill’s doctor gave her a referral to book the Pfizer as her second vaccine, but when she turned up at the clinic the nurse said she could not give her Pfizer if she had already received AstraZeneca.
The Bellerive woman wrote to politicians and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation board to seek approval to be fully vaccinated but faced barriers, including a Public Health Hotline worker telling Ms Neill she needed to have a spinal tap to prove she had experienced an allergic reaction before she could get Pfizer.
“I have a daughter in Victoria, I won’t feel confident to go and see her if I’m not vaccinated,” Ms Neill said.
But after the Health Department announced a new specialist clinic at the Launceston General Hospital in coming weeks, Ms Neill has had a breakthrough.
Public Health told her on Friday she had been approved for a Pfizer vaccine on September 6.
“It’s been a long time coming but I’m very happy to finally be heard. I can’t believe this,” she said.
A Health Department spokesman said although ATAGI lacks the efficacy and safety data to recommend mixing vaccines, Tasmania can allow the mixing of brands “if there are sound medical reasons to do so”.
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