Vaccine or not??

I'll be supporting my folks getting the vaccine, unless their Doctor says they have substantial medical reasons to avoid it.

Nothing is certain, but using known info, my best guess is that the vaccine is a lower risk.

Everyone will have their own risk levels...

Likelihood vs Severity:

* likelihood of getting Covid HIGH
* severity risk of Covid MED-HIGH

* Likelihood of vaccine severe side effects LOW
* Severity of vaccine serious side effects MED

Mom is about the same age, with multiple health problems, and got the first Moderna shot last Tuesday. She had checked with her doctor first and only had a sore arm for a few days after.

She has been quite clear that if she develops dementia and is incompetent, she would no longer require vaccines or life extending treatments and has provided appropriate paperwork to family and medical providers. She has her reasons.

If you would treat Covid, then I'd say you should vaccinate unless his doctor doesn't recommend it due to specific allergies, etc.

I read a lot of history. The Black Death killed one third of the entire population of Europe in the 14th Century. In the 17th Century, Bubonic Plague killed thousands on thousands in England. There were carts going down the streets to collect the dead bodies, with a bell and the driver calling ‘Bring Out Your Dead’. Burials in mass pits, the bodies just tipped in. They say that the Spanish Flu in 1919 killed 19 million world wide.

We should thank God and the Doctors that we have a better option. Where I am, our state is last in the queue because we have had virtually no community transmission, only occasional returned travelers in quarantine. We will still be in the queue as soon as it is available. It’s a no brainer.

My mother is 91, and thanks to California not having its act together well enough with the nursing homes, her place didn't get their first shot until Feb. 5. That was too bad, because my mom was in the middle of Covid at the time. She has not had the shot, and I probably won't get it for her at this point because she's now on hospice care, and frankly, I don't want to subject her to the fever, pain, and everything else that might go with it.

That said, she breezed through Covid with no symptoms other than a slight cough. HOWEVER, now at a month after testing negative, she's developing circulatory issues the hospice nurse thinks may be related to Covid. She woke up one morning covered in bruises, so they had to stop her blood thinners immediately. This week she developed overnight an enormous blood and fluid-filled blister on her leg that looks like an alien being has attached itself to her. The nurse is terrified it's going to rupture and get infected. The edema that she had prior to Covid and which mysteriously went away during the time she had it is back and exponentially worse than it ever was before. The nurse is concerned she's either going into heart failure or will stroke out.

All in all, I'd consult with the doctor, but if I could have prevented this happening to my mom by getting her vaccinated, I absolutely would have done it. At this point, I think it's too late, and we in the family agreed to let someone else have the vaccine. If she manages to hold on for another six months, I'll have her vaccinated, but not now while the disease is still wreaking havoc with her system.

I would say yes to the vaccine. I’m 59 and got my first dose yesterday because I have asthma. The only side affect is my arm hurts. That’s it. I’m getting my second dose of the Phizer vaccine in 3 weeks. Everyone should get vaccinated but that’s just my opinion.

My friend with her 101 year old mom, still living in her own home with aides coming in was going to pass on the vaccine for her mom, mostly for logistical reasons.

However, now that there is a one dose vaccine that can be administered at home, she is going ahead, in part because many of her aides are turning down the vaccine.

This is a conversation to have with your Dad's doctor.

My Dad is 92, he is getting his shot, he does have other health problems, but his doctor has given the OK. My Mum is almost 87, she is getting the shot, she has no health concerns.

I will registered to get mine when it is time for people my age to register.

Here in BC, appointments are scheduled based on a person's age. After all those in face facilities and the staff were offered vaccines.

I’ll answer by telling you what I’m doing.
My DH Aunt, 94,has not had the vaccine as I have not been able to find it yet in her area. She is signed up and will get it as soon as possible.
I want her to be as protected as possible. Even though she doesn’t venture out, the world comes to her. She has relatives who want to visit that I don’t trust to have been taking proper precautions. Plus her practice was to follow guidelines and get the vaccine. So I try to do what she would have done and that’s get the vaccine.
Deaths from Corona are much worse than the flu.

From John Hopkins

Coronavirus vs. Flu Deaths
COVID-19: There have been approximately 2,631,949 deaths reported worldwide. In the U.S, 530,829 people have died of COVID-19 between January 2020 and March 12, 2021.*
Flu: The World Health Organization estimates that 290,000 to 650,000 people die of flu-related causes every year worldwide.

I know it can be difficult to get elders vaccinated logistically. One of the lists I have aunt waitlisted on is a mobile unit coming to the home.
I didn’t get the flu shot either. Had never had one. I don’t get colds but I got a flu shot this year and the Covid vaccine when notified I was eligible. My mom always got her flu shot. I think it’s informative when you have personally lost people to the flu and Covid.
I want to err on the side of caution and for me that means getting the vaccines. We may even have a booster to get in the future with these new variants developing.
Good luck on your decision.

I was one of the people who reacted quite badly to the 1st vaccine. Well, all things are relative, I know, but I got my shot and came home to start my very busy day. Ended up sleeping all day and half of the next. Fever, Chills, aches, a headache to rival any I've ever had---BUT. It only lasted a little while and from what I have heard from people who've HAD COVID, you can feel like that and worse for a week or more. My brother who is only 56 is STILL having issues and he had COVID at Christmas time.

I've talked to enough 'first responders' to know that although YOU may not care if you get COVID, you could be hella sick AND you're contagious. Hence why we vaccinate as much for others as for ourselves.

At 84, your dad would probably wind up in the hospital. I doubt he wants that. Nor do you.

Nevertheless, what Alva said: Research & make your own decision. I take it dad isn't capable of making his own decision?

"Nikkie850,"

I sent you two private messages which you can get to when you click on your avatar and either click on "News Feed" or "Profile."

How does your dad's doctor feel about him getting vaccinated? If your dad is cognizant, how does he feel about it? Did he go out often before the pandemic, and if so, will he continue to do so now that things are starting to open up? Does he gather with other seniors? I have a feeling that, at least in the foreseeable future, if you want to be allowed to gather in groups in public settings, you are going to have to prove being vaccinated. Now, if he's essentially housebound, and you don't have people visiting on a regular basis, then I imagine there's not a great rush to get him vaccinated; but for everyone's peace of mind, you might want to discuss it with him/his doctor.

That said, I doubt very much if my mother would have "sought out" the vaccine, had she still been alive at this point; she might have gotten it once doctor's start routinely giving it out at office appointments, like the flu vaccine, but I can't imagine she would have been willing to go out to a vaccination sight to get one.

Have not heard yet of anyone with a "bad" reaction other than brief fever, chills, aches, diarrhea, sore arm. Covid-19 can be a death sentence to the elderly and to those with weight problems, underlying issues. I would not hesitate for a second to sign up my elder for the vaccine, but then I would most certainly have insured all these years that the flu vaccine was on board as well.
This is an individual decision. For myself I cannot image not getting the shot. I have mine now, as does my 80 year old partner. This is the weekend we can consider ourselves FREE, and that is a wonderful feeling.
So, basically, this is on you. Research all the legitimate sites and make your decision for your elder. His life may be in your hands.