Dad is 84 with multiple health problems. I don’t know if he should get the Covid vaccine or not. He hasn’t had a flu shots in years and seems to be fine. I’ve been hearing pros and cons of getting this vaccine and now I’m unsure. Has anyone have loved one with similar situations or bad reactions to the vaccine?
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.
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.
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."
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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