Six Young People On Why They Chose To Get Vaccinated With AstraZeneca
Here's what you can expect when being vaccinated with AstraZeneca.
Getting vaccinated with AstraZeneca is one of the strongest ways to protect yourself and your community, while working to help COVID restrictions lift across the country. The latest government goal is 70 percent of the eligible population getting jabbed in the coming few months — to return to some semblance of post-COVID normality.
Young people have been left confused and on-the-fence about AstraZeneca over the last few weeks, since ScoMo backflipped on his age eligibility stance in late June. It’s caused some under-40s to hold onto their reservations about a vaccine brand readily available now, instead, still holding out for Pfizer when the latter is in such high demand.
Yes, there are side effects to AstraZeneca — they will pass. Yes, there are health risks — they are very rare. And yes, we’ve been bombarded with messaging about age groups and brands — they have been revised. The time to get vaccinated is now, and AstraZeneca is a worthy contender.
Junkee spoke to six young people to hear their experiences with AstraZeneca, and why they think you should consider getting it too.
Joe, 30
When did you get vaccinated?
I got vaccinated this afternoon.
Why did you choose to get AstraZeneca?
I had originally booked in for a Pfizer vaccination a few months ago. However, this week I got a message that my vaccination had been cancelled. Within a couple of days, I made the decision to switch teams and grab AstraZeneca.
What was the booking process like?
The booking process was ridiculously easy. I had a turnaround time of about seven hours between looking for the appointment and sitting in the observation station, listening to calming whale noises, post-vaccination.
How did you weigh up the health risks?
I found a series of really informative news articles online that highlighted that getting AstraZeneca is less risky than such everyday activities as getting in a car, boarding a plane, or lighting a cigarette — all things that I do regularly.
I have long known that human beings are very bad at risk assessment: we tend to confuse low-risk and high-risk activities based on misleading factors. I had some nerves about getting AstraZeneca, but reminded myself that I am much more at risk from activities that don’t even make me bat an eye.
What side effects did you experience?
It’s still early days for me, but so far I’ve had some low-level side effects — occasional waves of chill. I’ve drunk a lot of water and have ibuprofen on hand, both things that I hear really help.
What would you say to young people on the fence about AZ?
There are lots of reasons to get vaccinated sooner rather than later. For a start, on a purely material level, vaccination is our path out of lockdown — if you’re missing seeing your friends and getting out into the world, get the jab.
Secondly, the risk of catching COVID and ending up either in hospital or experiencing the grim side effects of long COVID are much higher than any risk associated with AstraZeneca.
Any final thoughts?
Don’t wait, as some have, until you’re in the ICU to start asking for your vaccine. Protect yourself and your family as soon as you can.
Pamela, 24
When did you get vaccinated?
I had my vaccination on Monday, August 9 — so it has only been three days since I received it. I was very lucky to get a booking at the vaccination hub with ease.
Why did you choose to get AstraZeneca?
When I first heard of AstraZeneca, I was willing to get it, but I think the media made it sound so lethal and dangerous to receive it. I went to ask some friends who are nurses their opinion about the vaccine — they said it is safe and that women die more from birth control pills.
I took the initiative to go and research my eligibility, and drowned out any thoughts from people I know who are conspiracy theorists and anti-AstraZeneca.
If you consider only receiving Pfizer it is very likely that you will not be able to get it, but you can get AstraZeneca!
What was the booking process like?
I went to the vaccination hub with a booking for Pfizer. As I lined up, the nurse noticed the sticker on my shirt which meant I was getting Pfizer, then asked me the following questions: are you a frontline worker? Are you from the LGA? Do you have an underlying condition?
When I answered no to each one, she looked at me and said “Oh, you can get Pfizer but you are also eligible for AstraZeneca!” When she said that, I realised there were other people who desperately needed the Pfizer vaccine, and I needed to get over the fear I had for receiving AstraZeneca.
How did you weigh up the health risks?
When I sat down with the nurse at the hub, she asked me lots of questions about my health, told me the risks, and made me feel comfortable. It’s all about discussing your concerns with others, and if you’re nervous or unsure, doctors and nurses are more than happy to support you through your decision.
“Watching my cousins from Canada catch COVID was horrible to see.”
What side effects did you experience?
I was lethargic for the first three or four hours. Afterwards, I had chills and a headache. That evening, I had a high fever of 38.7°C, and took paracetamol immediately as instructed by the nurse. I woke up at 4.00am and was running a fever of 39.2°C. After that, I felt extremely weak and out of it for the rest of the day. These side effects only lasted two days.
What would you say to young people on the fence about AZ?
Go and get your vaccination! I know it’s scary, and you’re pushing to get Pfizer, but if you are healthy, have no medical conditions that would prohibit you from getting AstraZeneca, go and line up already.
Talk to a professional and talk to some friends who have had AstraZeneca. Stop listening to the media and do your research. I promise you, getting AstraZeneca is worth it.
Any final thoughts?
Watching my cousins from Canada catch COVID was horrible to see through FaceTime. It scared me every single time to hear them cough, or for them not to answer their phones. They told me “I would never wish COVID on anyone”. Please get it, it’s not just for you, it’s for the people you love too.
Rob, 25
When did you get vaccinated?
My first jab was on Thursday, August 5.
Why did you choose to get AstraZeneca?
AstraZeneca was available now, and we wanted to get jabbed as soon as possible, without having to wait for Pfizer.
What was the booking process like?
The process was painless. I booked online for myself and my housemate, and we went to a local pharmacy.
How did you weigh up the health risks?
To receive AstraZeneca, we were given information about the risks and had to disclose whether or not we had any underlying or specific medical issues. We then had to sign a form explaining we understood the risks and wanted to proceed.
The risks were detailed and the pharmacist explained to me in layman’s terms why they are minimal, and why AstraZeneca is beneficial. I didn’t have to weigh anything up, I just signed.
What side effects did you experience?
I felt lightheaded, had body aches, and felt cold. I made sure I was hydrated, took ibuprofen, and made sure I was warm before going to bed. My housemate didn’t take the same steps and felt the side effects for 24-48 hours.
What would you say to young people on the fence about AZ?
It’s the only way to move towards normality. Young people are risk takers, and the risks for AZ are minimal, so get jabbed!
Any final thoughts?
Consider a pharmacy for your vaccination.
Tyla, 24
When did you get vaccinated?
August 10.
Why did you choose to get AstraZeneca?
Cases are rising, and the chances of getting blood clots are super, super unlikely — the media has blown it up. I did want to get Pfizer at first, but thought it’s not worth it to wait so long, and be more prone to getting COVID.
What was the booking process like?
I went to a local pharmacist, and booked online a week before. It was super easy. There were heaps of free time slots during weekdays, but weekends are pretty much all booked out. It was a five minute walk for me, and the whole process took 30 minutes. They were super organised, professional, and fast.
“You’d rather be safe and keep others safe by getting AstraZeneca than waiting months to get Pfizer when cases are growing day-by-day.”
How did you weigh up the health risks?
There were two pharmacists who assisted me. They were both lovely, made me feel comfortable, and made sure I was okay with getting the AstraZeneca. They told me all the side effects, and stated more than once that blood clots are super rare. They also give me a sheet of information about AstraZeneca, what to expect, and what to do if I have any bad reactions in the next few days or weeks.
What side effects did you experience?
The first night I started to get a headache, my arm was hurting, and the top half of my body was aching. During sleep, my stomach started to hurt. The next morning the headache continued, my mouth was dry, and my sinuses started to hurt, but at around 3pm all the pain was gone and I felt fine.
However my 21-year-old brother who also got AstraZeneca the same day as me had a fever and chills during the night which followed on to the next day. He also had a decrease in appetite and his side effects lasted longer than mine.
What would you say to young people on the fence about AZ?
Go to your GP for advice if you’re worried or concerned about it, or if you have any health problems. Honestly it’s fine, you’d rather be safe and keep others safe by getting AstraZeneca than waiting months to get Pfizer when cases are growing day-by-day.
Any final thoughts?
GET VAXXED!
Nick, 25
When did you get vaccinated?
I had my first jab on Saturday, August 7, and I’ve currently got an eight week gap before my second one. But who knows if that will need to be shortened.
Why did you choose to get AstraZeneca?
I got AstraZeneca because I wanted to reduce my chances of getting hospitalised with COVID as soon as possible, so my ‘choice’ to get AstraZeneca was made by a Federal Government that failed to secure any other options.
What was the booking process like?
My mum is a medical receptionist at a local GP, so pretty much the day the vaccines were made available to people our age, she popped in the family group chat and asked who wanted an appointment.
How did you weigh up the health risks?
For me, it came down to weighing the very small risk of blood clots against the very present danger of catching the Delta variant. Hearing that both vaccines were 90 percent effective at preventing hospitalisation motivated me to stop waiting for Pfizer and book an appointment, despite my initial reluctance to get a vaccine that had — until very recently — not been recommended for my age group.
What side effects did you experience?
Hoo boy, did I have some side effects. It felt like my body had been thrown in the dryer. Every muscle ached, I had sharp pains up my spine, and I was running hot and cold like I had a fever. It was rough as guts but luckily it only lasted about 24 hours. The fatigue lingered for another day after that, and the spot where I actually got jabbed still hurts four days later.
Get vaxxed, get safe, and then when the election rolls around we can get rid of ScoMo.
What would you say to young people on the fence about AZ?
If anyone’s reluctant to get AstraZeneca because it’s not their first choice, I would say that having no choice sucks, but being vaccinated is better than being on a ventilator. If you’re angry at the government because they botched the rollout, don’t risk your own health out of spite.
Any final thoughts?
Get vaxxed, get safe, and then when the election rolls around we can get rid of ScoMo.
Jess, 23
When did you get vaccinated?
My first jab was on July 31.
Why did you choose to get AstraZeneca?
I am working one day a week in Sydney’s CBD, plus I don’t think one vaccine is substantially better than the other.
What was the booking process like?
I booked through my local GP via a link on their website.
How did you weigh up the health risks?
The GPs at my regular practice were a bit flippant about discussing the risks, but because I had done my own reading online this didn’t bother me — they are as aware as I am about my medical history, and the safety of the vaccine, so I don’t think this was negligent on their part.
What side effects did you experience?
I was fatigued, had a fever, was nauseous, vomiting, chills, and felt generally unwell for around 36 hours after the shot.
What would you say to young people on the fence about AZ?
If you don’t have any contraindicative health issues there is no reason not to be getting AstraZeneca, beyond a misplaced apprehension about Pfizer being the better option, which at this point is just boring to hear about.