Getting the shot is a no-brainer. Yes, after the 2nd shot both I and my sig-other had some side effects, mainly being very tired for 24 hours....
but that is a drop in the bucket compared to getting covid/delta and being in the hospital hooked up to machines that are trying to save your life for weeks on end, if not months. And if one does survive, there are long-term after effects related to having covid.
Cost - no one thinks about the cost of being in the ICU for weeks on end. Will the insurance pay for everything? Or just 80% of a massive bill? One could wind up with $100k out-of-pocket expense.
My Mom had a massive stroke (many antibiotics affect her brain and we have to be so cautious just treating UTIs as she gets toxic encephalopathy from many of them). I was nervous getting mom her vaccination when they became available but I knew that I had to protect her the best (she was about to start therapy again and would be around others whom were exposed) so we chose vaccine. She had J&J and did not have any side effects. But every single one of us is different - I had no side effects but my husband did for about 12 hours. Mom missed her January vaccine as she was being treated for a uti - she got hers in March (I worried about her brain injury and effects other meds already have on her - but I thought about how many “like her” had already had the shot in nursing homes etc - as they were all the first to get it and so I asked my mom and she wanted to do it). I am only sharing so you know your not alone in being nervous. Only you can choose what is best for your dad. I am for the vaccine but only you know your loved one best.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Protect your dad as much as possible.
My DH aunt, 94, with dementia had the vaccine. Was very tired for a few weeks, no other discernible symptoms. It is a small return to normalcy. She has health care workers who are masked but in and out. Such a relief to have her vaccinated.
My 99-yr old aunt with advanced dementia got her Pfizer shots last year. It did knock her down for a few days but she bounced back. Her 102-yr old sister (with no dementia) also go the shot and had no ill aftereffects. How old is your dad? If he's very advanced in years like my aunts, something is going to cause them to exit this world fairly soon. Having covid isn't a pleasant way to go.
On the other hand, my 85-yr old MIL in LTC actually had covid in May 2020 and was extremely sick for 4 weeks, was a DNR so she only got Tylenol and 5 lt of oxygen a day, no food or water if she didn't take it voluntarily (and she didn't). They put her on hospice on week 4, her sons came to say goodbye and then after 1 week she pulled out and had a full recovery. Later that year she got her vaccine and it had no impact on her physically.
If you're worried that your dad may be allergic to the vaccine material, there's no way to know that. I don't know personally of any elderly who passed just from getting the vaccine. But I do know younger people (50's) who didn't get the vaccine and are now in the hospital struggling.
My DIL is a nurse at a major metro hospital where we live and she says all the covid patients currently admitted were unvaccinated. They are not testing whether the people have Alpha or Delta versions of the virus, which I think is strange.
There's risks no matter what. You will have to choose based on the most onerous outcome you wish to help your dad avoid. May you receive wisdom and peace in your heart about your decision.
Ask her if they are testing the vaccinated for covid if they go to the hospital . Just curious. They are not testing for variants because the test is very exoensive and if they do test you for the variant they can't legally tell you if you have a variant. And Israel has the highest vaccination rate worldwide and the majority of the sick and hospitalized are vaccinated. So i don't get why it would be different in the US unless they are reporting things differently here.
Is he around other people? Caregivers? Family that is out and about? Does he go out at all? If he is around other people he should be vaccinated.
The chances of him getting it out weigh the risks of any vaccination. The effects of the virus are deadly particularly in an older population, one with a lower immune system.
Talk to his doctor, if there are existing conditions that would make it unsafe for him to be vaccinated the doctor will advise against the vaccine.
but that is a drop in the bucket compared to getting covid/delta and being in the hospital hooked up to machines that are trying to save your life for weeks on end, if not months. And if one does survive, there are long-term after effects related to having covid.
Cost - no one thinks about the cost of being in the ICU for weeks on end. Will the insurance pay for everything? Or just 80% of a massive bill? One could wind up with $100k out-of-pocket expense.
Mom missed her January vaccine as she was being treated for a uti - she got hers in March (I worried about her brain injury and effects other meds already have on her - but I thought about how many “like her” had already had the shot in nursing homes etc - as they were all the first to get it and so I asked my mom and she wanted to do it).
I am only sharing so you know your not alone in being nervous. Only you can choose what is best for your dad. I am for the vaccine but only you know your loved one best.
For starts: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden-averted/2019-2020.htm
My DH aunt, 94, with dementia had the vaccine. Was very tired for a few weeks, no other discernible symptoms. It is a small return to normalcy. She has health care workers who are masked but in and out. Such a relief to have her vaccinated.
On the other hand, my 85-yr old MIL in LTC actually had covid in May 2020 and was extremely sick for 4 weeks, was a DNR so she only got Tylenol and 5 lt of oxygen a day, no food or water if she didn't take it voluntarily (and she didn't). They put her on hospice on week 4, her sons came to say goodbye and then after 1 week she pulled out and had a full recovery. Later that year she got her vaccine and it had no impact on her physically.
If you're worried that your dad may be allergic to the vaccine material, there's no way to know that. I don't know personally of any elderly who passed just from getting the vaccine. But I do know younger people (50's) who didn't get the vaccine and are now in the hospital struggling.
My DIL is a nurse at a major metro hospital where we live and she says all the covid patients currently admitted were unvaccinated. They are not testing whether the people have Alpha or Delta versions of the virus, which I think is strange.
There's risks no matter what. You will have to choose based on the most onerous outcome you wish to help your dad avoid. May you receive wisdom and peace in your heart about your decision.
If he is around other people he should be vaccinated.
The chances of him getting it out weigh the risks of any vaccination. The effects of the virus are deadly particularly in an older population, one with a lower immune system.
Talk to his doctor, if there are existing conditions that would make it unsafe for him to be vaccinated the doctor will advise against the vaccine.
Covid is very difficult death. The elderly are more susceptible to getting this virus.