Vij’s story – my personal experience and take on covid vaccines and the Asian community
Vij talks about his feelings about the covid vaccines and where he sees potential challenges for the Asian community.
My name is Vij, and I was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera (PV) in August 2020.
When I saw on the news that a covid vaccine had been approved, I was more excited for my parents (both in their 70s with underlying health conditions) than myself. Being diagnosed in August 2020, being on the clinically extremely vulnerable list was never a thought, as shielding had stopped by then. It was only when I was researching on my parents’ behalf about when they’d be eligible for the vaccine, that I saw I would be too.
When I realised I was eligible for the vaccine, part of me did feel guilty for being so high up the list. I’m only 39, fit, healthy, and still moving around with little if any discomfort or issues. Should I really be taking a vaccine away from someone else? For me, I would have been happy to wait.
I was initially a bit sceptical about how quickly it had all been processed. I think having concerns about the vaccine is normal and perfectly fine, considering how fast it seemed to happen, coupled with your own opinions about the government and private pharmaceutical companies, testing and trials etc. But at least it was a start, and it would give my parents some protection.
I saw the vaccine as a blanket in cold weather. There may be better blankets in the future, but for peace of mind at the very least, I would rather have a blanket than no blanket.
My parents and I are so eager to get the family back together, especially after missing our usual Christmas celebrations. I thought about getting the vaccine as a way to bring our future family reunion one step closer.
I was a bit nervous when I went for my vaccine, because I had to have a routine blood test on the same day as well. There was a big queue, but it was calm and relaxed, and it’s not like I had much else to do that day! Thankfully, any guilt about taking a vaccine away from an elderly person was removed when I realised I was surrounded by hospital staff all taking theirs, all of whom were from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. The nurse was lovely and informative, and the injection was very similar to the flu vaccine I had a few months back. Like that vaccine, I was absolutely fine for the rest of the day.
If anything, I was walking around mentally relieved, so I had a bit more swagger in my walk. It felt like I was a step closer to being able to hug my parents and see my lovely nephews and nieces outside of a digital screen.
I know I am not out of the woods yet, as there is a 12 week wait for the second dose, and even after that, it really depends on what infection rates in the country are like. But I’m in the same boat as my parents and millions of others, so regardless of what the future holds, I know I am not alone!
Coming from the Asian community, I was a bit disappointed and annoyed by the press and media.
They were advertising the BAME community’s reluctance to take the vaccine. But from my personal perspective, coming from the Asian community, I haven’t seen any reluctance, more barriers. I think the main issue is the age of the first groups getting invited for the vaccine – BAME people in their 70s or 80s, who are first-generation. They will generally be living alone or with their husband or wife, with their children living elsewhere. If this is the case, their social life and information sources are often around friends and relatives of similar ages. With current lockdown measures, it means that information and help is not as easily accessible.
I don’t think fake news via social media is an issue for my parents. They aren’t on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. But the ways in which they would get misinformation is through something purposely being sent to them, or gathering snippets on the news and misunderstanding what is being said. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to explain stories on the news to my dad, when the stories themselves are about what ‘anti-vaxxers’ are claiming, rather than what scientists and professionals are saying.
Then there are very practical issues. To get the vaccine, you’re told not to ring your GP, you have to wait for a letter or text message, or use a website. This makes it harder for some people to access if they aren't as tech savvy as younger generations, and if they don’t understand or read the letters. My elderly parents don’t get emails or text messages, and teaching my mum WhatsApp has been a challenge! Luckily I live close by and I’m in a support bubble with my parents, so I sort things out for them – reading letters and filling in forms, and taking them to appointments. Many others don’t have this ability however, as everyone is told to stay at home.
I think a great responsibility lies with those who are aware of these people, and who can do their best to support, talk and listen to them, whether that’s family members, healthcare professionals, or other people in their lives.
The locations of vaccination centres also weren’t always accessible at the start, in areas where many of these communities live, and would require the use of public or private transport. This has been really difficult for most during lockdown. But with more and more vaccination centres being opened, notably in areas where people of these communities reside, I believe more and more will happily take up their option of having the jab.
Speaking to others with blood cancer, having concerns and fears about the vaccine seems very common. But for me, choosing to have the vaccine is the same as taking any other medication.
It's about trust and faith. Trust in the science and your doctors, and faith it's going to work. Nothing immediately changes once you have it, in terms of lockdown easing and life returning to normal. But having the vaccine is such a mental relief. Relief that, after taking the second dose, I will be a bit safer. Not only that, but I’ll be protecting other people too.
I really can’t wait for life to kick start again, to be doing the things I enjoy, things that make me happy, and being with the ones I love when lockdown finally ends, which it will! I have a post-covid to-do list waiting to be ticked off!
Find out more about how to get a vaccine and vaccine effectiveness for people with blood cancer.
The NHS also have videos giving covid vaccine information in other languages.
