We are all converting Covid vaccines

OMICRON continues to spread across the country, but some remain wary of receiving a Covid boost; Others have yet to have their first two doses.

Here, three people hesitant about getting vaccinated tell us why they decided to roll up their sleeves.

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Kate Featherstone-Coombes, 29, from Winchester, had two thoughts about vaccination while pregnant with her six-month-old baby.

“In February 2021, I am pregnant and the vaccine rollout is starting. Even as a student midwife, I dreaded my first bump. I’m really torn and it’s scary.

“In the hospital, we see more and more impoverished pregnant women coming in with Covid, and I don’t want it to be me.

“My partner Joss, 31, is a vaccine advocate – no wonder we have had to cover for so long due to him having Crohn’s disease. But it was a volunteer in the vaccination center where I helped the person who swung it for me.

“She pointed out that everyone had the same concerns about the flu when it arrived. I get a flu shot every year, so why does this make a difference?

“At 20 weeks, I took my first dose of Pfizer. As numerous studies confirmed that the vaccine was safe, there was no question that I got a second shot in May. I had to protect myself, the people around me and my children.

“All the pregnant women I spoke to felt the same way. Pandora was born full term and healthy in July, also weighing 9lb 6oz – a sister to her three-year-old brother Oswald.

“I am currently on maternity leave, running Parent Kind, my parent training business.

“If any pregnant woman asks me about getting vaccinated, I tell them: it’s their choice but they and their baby are safer with the vaccine than without.”

‘I’m worried about my immune system’

Daniel Chowdhury, 38, a communications specialist in South East London, can have potential side effects from using the Covid-19 vaccine.

A bad accident happened during the first lockout, in May 2020, which caused Daniel to be thrown off his bike.

Trapped in the house with a broken ankle, Daniel said, “I don’t really leave my apartment outside of medical appointments, so I’m pretty used to living a dead-end life.”

Then the Covid vaccine arrived. “The dilemma arose when I was eligible for the vaccine, as I was about to have steroid injections for my ankle – so I didn’t want the injection because of the possible side effects on my ankle. my immune system.”

But as the weeks went on, he started to feel more comfortable getting vaccinated because of how many of his friends and family members got their vaccines with only mild side effects. He is a convert.

“The booster shot will increase your antibody levels, giving you the best possible chance of fighting off infection if you come into contact with the virus,” says Daniel.

“It’s really important in allowing us all to get back to our daily lives more quickly. Make sure you are fully vaccinated and still safe. ”

‘I think it’s only for the elderly’

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Callum Tokody, 18, is a student in West London. As far as he’s concerned, younger people don’t need the promptings. Then he got sick.

With a busy schedule at school, social life and extracurricular activities, Callum feels she has more important things to do besides studying Covid jab.

He said: “I don’t think I need to get vaccinated because only a few of my friends have been vaccinated and I think initially the coronavirus only affects older people.”

He added: “I had heard stories on social media about people having terrible reactions to vaccines, so at first I didn’t want to get vaccinated.” That is until he catches Covid himself.

That’s when he started thinking about the stab again. After all, his mother was vaccinated with no major side effects. It’s time to have a word with yourself.

“When I’m unwell, it’s a sign to get vaccinated,” Callum said. Once I recovered, it didn’t take long to get an appointment and I felt fine afterwards.

“I have been vaccinated all since then. So are my friends. People need to be motivated because it protects you and everyone else. “

Go nhs.uk/covid-vaccination to make an appointment or find your local immunization center

Scotland nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine

Wales gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination

Northern Ireland covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated