Teen kids want jab to protect mam who got allergic reaction to first AstraZeneca vaccine

Louise Walsh

An immuno-compromised mum who is hoping health experts will allow mixed vaccines soon says her teenage children want to get the jab solely to protect her.

Dolores Grace has been stuck between 'a rock and a hard place' after her medical team refused to give her the second shot of AstraZeneca vaccine after she experienced a severe reaction to the first one last March.

The 46-year old from Athboy, Co. Meath suffered a severe headache and high blood pressure which left her hospitalised after the first jab and she fears that at this stage, she would have little protection against the more severe Delta variant.

The mum of four, who lost her son Elliot (20) to cancer in recent years says her children now want to get the vaccine in order to keep her safe.

"I have several medical conditions including Sjogrens and Rheumatoid Arthritis and I've had a blood clot in the past that caused heart failure," she said.

"One of the drugs I'm on is Rituximub which works on the same "B' cells as AstraZeneca. Despite all of this, I keep active and try to live a pretty normal life.

"I've been cocooning for a long time, working from home and not even shopping as I've been told that I'm medically vulnerable.

"My consultant rheumatologist put me forward for the vaccine in the early stages and my Rituximub treatment was delayed to facilitate this.

"I raised my concerns about my previous clot and taking the Astra Zeneca but the thinking was that if I refused it, it could delay my infusions which I badly needed at that time.

"My team was trying to get me the Pfizer at that stage but it wasn't possible so I felt I had no choice but to take the AstraZenecca in case I would be put at the back of the queue if I didn't. I couldn't believe the situation I was in.

"After the first jab, I was very sick with flu-like symptoms which I was expecting but I wasn't expecting the horrendous headache I got on day three. My blood pressure was through the roof and I ended up in hospital.

"I still have a lingering headache 16 weeks on and I'm just generally unwell. My GP advised against taking the second dose.

"However he says he is not covered to give me a different vaccine as they are not allowed to mix vaccines at the minute. My consultant and GP have been looking for a solution, which I don't think there is one until mixed vaccines are approved.

"Even at that stage, I will probably have to start from scratch and get the two jabs of Pfizer or Moderna.

"I've written out of sheer desperation to Health Minister Simon Donnelly, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, NIAC and local TDs and no-one has got back to me, apart from Tanaiste Leo Varadkar to tell me he would pass my concerns onto Minister Donnelly so full circle there.

"I'm fed up. I can't go out with my family to eat a meal indoors. However, if I book a hotel room, I can eat indoors in their restaurant.

" I'm even more nervous because of the new Delta variant and people seem to have taken their foot off the pedal in terms of broken or empty hand sanitizers in some shops which many seem to just walk past now anyway.

"My teenage kids are in the age group now to get vaccinated and my children Alex (12), Amelia (13) and Eva (15) told me they want to get the jab just to keep me safe.

"How bad is that? I'm hoping that the experts will approve the mixed vaccines soon and we, as a family, can get on with our lives. It's not and shouldn't be the responsibility of my young children to feel they have to mind me. It should never work like that."