I had the vaccine to help get life back to normal | Cheryl Gibbs

There’s been a lot of talk, confusion, concern and general discussion about whether the Covid-19 vaccines are safe.I’ve had my own internal debate as to whether I’d want to take it.
A vial of doses of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is checked, as the first batch arrives at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. Picture: Getty ImagesA vial of doses of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is checked, as the first batch arrives at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. Picture: Getty Images
A vial of doses of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is checked, as the first batch arrives at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. Picture: Getty Images

I was concerned about the lack of long-term studies, concerned because I’d like to try for baby number two at some point and how a vaccine might affect that process given that it wasn’t exactly easy for us the first time round.

There’s been so much debate over whether the vaccines are safe; whether the side effects are too great; whether we should be pressing full steam ahead on its roll out or whether we should assess whether the pros outweigh the cons.

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It’s a contentious issue and it divides us once again in our opinions.

I have however had my first Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine.

It’s not for me to say whether I would recommend it or not – ultimately it’s a personal choice.

But I do think for life to ever get back to some form of civilisation, the vaccine may become like a passport to normal society again.

Without it I wonder how those opting to not have it, or can’t have it for medical reasons, will lead any resemblance to their former life, but it really isn’t an easy choice.

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I had it for several reasons, not least of all because my husband has arthritis and is therefore in the ‘vulnerable’ category. With a low immune system thanks to his medication, he’s particularly at risk but has already had the vaccine .

Then there’s my mum and everyone else in my family who I want to protect.

I was nervous about getting it.

Not because it’s a needle, but because I – like so many others – worry about the long term risks.

But it’s done now.

I was one of the lucky ones – I had literally no side effects, other than a bit of a headache and a bou t of tiredness.

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But quite honestly that could be down to the early starts and long days of motherhood.

It wasn’t an easy choice, but for me it was the right one.

The question is still difficult for so many – will you have it?

I gave up chocolate but now I am craving it more than ever

I’ve given up chocolate for two weeks.

The initial ‘it doesn’t bother me in the slightest’ feeling has waned and now I’m left with a bigger urge for the stuff than before.

I felt quite liberated at first – it was my choice to stop and I felt quite good about it.

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Strangely, and I’m sure coincidentally, a couple of people have said I look like I’ve lost weight when I’ve joined them on a walk or Zoom call.

I doubt very much that giving it up for so little time has had that kind of effect, but still I’ll take any compliment like that.

But now all I want is to dive head first into a gigantic easter egg and let myself wallow in all its calorific glory…​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I can’t believe I met Matt more than 20 years ago

It was Matt and I’s 21-year anniversary of when we met on Tuesday and we both completely and utterly forgot.

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I blame Harley – I mean obviously it’s not her fault, but she takes up all of the little brain power I have left.

I think Matt was rather relieved when I told him we forgot because he clearly didn’t remember and me forgetting let him off the hook too.

Twenty-one years ago, I walked into the old Route 66 nightclub and said to my friend, ‘I’m so going to marry that guy’ and I did.

Admittedly it took 15 years (he wasn’t one for rushing) and now we have our baby. I couldn’t be happier with the life we’ve built and shared together.

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