Will you take the Pfizer Covid Vaccine?

Updated:   Published

school-nurses-covid-vaccine-yes-or-no.jpg.dd98395ba2dff8ce8b4dc69ff5d1fa25.jpg

We just finished a nurse group Zoom Mtg. We were asked how we felt about taking the covid vaccine per the school Supt. Wow, didn't expect that on a Monday. The school nurse? Wow, it's like your life flashes before your eyes for the present and for the future. You think about your family, this job, and your potential risks. Risks, I barely know the covid-19 contact risks. Vaccine. What's in it? There was the trial of 40k and I think 6 people died. I heard 2 had gotten Bell's Palsy or something. I don't know enough about it. Most of us said we'll wait. I heard the White House suddenly decided that they would wait as well. Now, look-a-hear, why would they wait? They don't usually step back to let others eat first. I'm just trying to lay all the cards out on the table. Also, there was mention of us administering the vaccine to students. Students? I feel the parent should be present for such a controversial rushed vaccine don't you? What are your thoughts? Will you take it? Will it be the lesser evil? Undecided for now. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, I will 100% get the vaccine as soon as it is offered to me.  From my understand the WH stepped back from being the first ones getting the vaccine due to criticism as they aren't "highest risk."  So it's going to front-line workers and staff/residents of LTC facilities.  I'm not currently worried about having to administer the vaccine.  It's only approved for 16 years or older.  That being said, I was lucky enough to receive a free intranasal shot of the H1N1 vaccine in my high school gymnasium.  I'd be happy to administer vaccines to my students if it becomes FDA approved and we're prepared to administer in a safe and legal manner.

12
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

You may want to head over to the COVID forum- there's a handful of vaccination threads there with a wealth of both opinions and education.

7
Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, Dimple58 said:

We just finished a nurse group Zoom Mtg. We were asked how we felt about taking the covid vaccine per the school Supt. Wow, didn't expect that on a Monday. The school nurse? Wow, it's like your life flashes before your eyes for the present and for the future. You think about your family, this job, and your potential risks. Risks, I barely know the covid-19 contact risks. Vaccine. What's in it? There was the trial of 40k and I think 6 people died. I heard 2 had gotten Bell's Palsy or something. I don't know enough about it. Most of us said we'll wait. I heard the White House suddenly decided that they would wait as well. Now, look-a-hear, why would they wait? They don't usually step back to let others eat first. I'm just trying to lay all the cards out on the table. Also, there was mention of us administering the vaccine to students. Students? I feel the parent should be present for such a controversial rushed vaccine don't you? What are your thoughts? Will you take it? Will it be the lesser evil? Undecided for now. 

 

https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download

Page 41. 

Four of the deaths were in the placebo arm and two in the vaccine arm.

There were 43,448 enrolled participants in the study and six died during the six and a half months from the start to the cutoff date. Both the deaths in the vaccine arm and three of the four deaths in the placebo arm were in the >55 years age group and the causes of death are events that occur in the general population and at a similar rate. You can read more about the details in the report I’ve linked.

I can’t see any plausible connection to the vaccine and as I’m sure you’ve noticed there were twice as many deaths in the placebo arm of the trial. 

19
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
1 hour ago, Dimple58 said:

We just finished a nurse group Zoom Mtg. We were asked how we felt about taking the covid vaccine per the school Supt. Wow, didn't expect that on a Monday. The school nurse? Wow, it's like your life flashes before your eyes for the present and for the future. You think about your family, this job, and your potential risks. Risks, I barely know the covid-19 contact risks. Vaccine. What's in it? There was the trial of 40k and I think 6 people died. I heard 2 had gotten Bell's Palsy or something. I don't know enough about it. Most of us said we'll wait. I heard the White House suddenly decided that they would wait as well. Now, look-a-hear, why would they wait? They don't usually step back to let others eat first. I'm just trying to lay all the cards out on the table. Also, there was mention of us administering the vaccine to students. Students? I feel the parent should be present for such a controversial rushed vaccine don't you? What are your thoughts? Will you take it? Will it be the lesser evil? Undecided for now. 

The ingredients to the vaccine are very clearly listed. There are several vaccines that could potentially cause Bells palsy, but the risk is very low. The White House backtracked because they were getting a lot of bad press for being first in line to get the vaccine when many of them have been most vocal against basic safety measures related to the vaccine. In regards to the students whenever it gets to that point, and it will be quite a while, the parents would have to provide consent. 

I realize you are likely just venting/throwing out thoughts as they come since this was a surprise for you, but a lot of the questions that you asked can be answered if you just did a little research. I had some concerns about the vaccine and realized once I researched it myself that a lot of those concerns were not based on anything but fear.

13
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

I am so far down the line that it's not even a consideration right this second. In Texas we're getting several hundred thousand Pfizer doses and they are prioritized to places like the VA, LTC, and acute care hospitals - both patients and those staff.

As an aside: the way that the Pfizer vaccine has to be kept is going to make it exceptionally difficult (even with just in time delivery) for community organizations. There's no way an average doc's office could deal with this.

I hold out hope that I might be in line for the Moderna vaccine, though. For me the question of whether it's worse to be in essentially what's a phase 4 trial or whether it's worse getting COVID is stupid easy to answer. I have asthma and I am much more afraid of getting COVID. 

Second aside: the actual "phase five" trials - the first year the vaccine is actually out and they're collecting data from a wider group of people is where you're likely to see any odd complications in the first four-ish months. After that you don't usually find anything new.

8
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.

Yes, I will. And gladly. In my state, I could fall into either non-covid facing health care (last part of phase 1) or K-12 staff (early part of phase 2). Either way, I'm ready. I'll even have myself filmed to pass along to my staff that are wary.

All the literature I've read is solid thus far. No vaccine is 100% without risks, but the adverse reactions thus far have been so much minor than even anticipated. I'm in my late 30s, healthy. I can wait. But I also might be the person that unknowingly passes along COVID to someone else so if they offer it, I'm in. (Also, vaccine over COVID any day of the week, please..)

Moderna will be very likely approved for emergency use this week (and their trial of the vaccine in children aged 12-17 is poised to start soon as well), so I'm not sure if I'd get that or the Pfizer vaccine - but I'm willing to take either. 

11
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.

This link is to a FB live discussion given  by 2 NPs. One that I know and trust and respect very much.  Wendy Wright DNP , ANP-Bc, GNP-BC FAANP, FAAN, FNAP She is a provider in NH, owns 2 NP owned practices.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/qay3J5H21larHetQY1fzhZY3afjDI0Q4lUdZWYXfj2OQwx5FtIwVdCpuCYcBY3w865Rut6ORp-_S6DUO.U2qVaqvt9FrrvxIO?startTime=1607645337000&_x_zm_rtaid=plvSCLImT7qm28IjjehPLw.1607699042518.e0b146f268498f332981d114d132f87d&_x_zm_rhtaid=746

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.

And yes,   I'm in!

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I read the insert (online) over carefully, as I have had pretty ugly reactions from the flu shot.  Because there's no preservative, I think I'd be OK.  I'll probably take it when offered.  

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds.

My plan is to take it when offered.  In our state, I am far down the line so I probably will not get to have one until Spring which means I probably will not receive the Pfizer doses.  I would rather subject myself to a reaction than bring this deadly virus home to my very high risk home. 

 

6
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

My side job is in LTC, so I'm sure I will be offered it soon (not Pfizer, as I'm fairly rural and there won't be enough doses to get to my area) and I'll be glad to take it when offered.   My 17 y/o daughter works for an assisted living and is also anxious to receive it.  

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion