The DreadedVaccine

Dear Don,

I must take issue with the comments made in the introduction to Roger Cooke G3LDI’s latest Morse Mode column. To describe any vaccine against Covid 19 as ‘The Dreaded AstraZeneca’ grossly misrepresents the true value of this and other vaccines in combating the ruthless spread of this disease. His comments can only be described as irresponsible, unsubstantiated, and ill-advised and I am surprised that editorially these were published. I have been actively involved working in mass vaccination centres delivering vaccines to many vulnerable groups. These remarks could deter those readers who are reticent and due to receive their first or especially second vaccines.

The most frequent adverse reactions are pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pains, chills, joint pains, and fever; these were each reported in more than one in ten people.

The unusual blood clots with low blood platelets are very rare side effects of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and should not deter acceptance of the vaccine especially in older cohorts.

Based on what we know from clinical trials, mild side effects are common, and the type and frequency of these side effects appears similar with both the AstraZeneca/Oxford and the Pfizer/Biotech vaccines. Overall, both trials suggest that most people experience some pain or tenderness in the region of the injection, about half experience headache and/or fatigue, and a significant minority experience muscle pain, fever, chills and/or joint pain.

In both trials, the symptoms were usually mild or moderate and resolved within a few days. Side effects after the second vaccine being more intense than after the first are normal and indeed reassuring signs that your body is building protection. Further if a third vaccination is needed in the future, current guidance does not advise mixing of any vaccines.

Mark Holmes 2E0JFY

Wigan