Co Derry woman's life 'ruined' due to suspected reaction to Covid jab
The woman said she began suffering from patchy hair loss just five days after she received the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine
A County Derry woman has described how her life has been ‘ruined’ after she lost all her hair due to a suspected adverse reaction to the Covid-19 vaccine.
The woman said she began suffering from patchy hair loss just five days after she received the second dose of the Pfizer jab in April 2021.
Within five months, she was left completely bald, even losing her eyebrows and eyelashes to a condition known as Alopecia Totalis/Universalis.
The woman, who is in her 50s and does not want to be named, said she has spent the last few years living in near isolation, only leaving the house to attend her nursing job or go to the local shop.
“I did have Covid in 2020, I think it was around November, and I lost my sense of smell and taste briefly, and then it all came back,” explained the woman.
“I didn't want to get the vaccine, but I felt pressurised by family, media and work, and I kind of felt guilty by not getting it.”
The woman received the first dose of the vaccine through her work and subsequently travelled to Ballymena 28 days later to get the second.
The woman said she began to notice symptoms five days after this.
“I had long blonde hair, and I noticed a wee bit of hair loss about the size of a 50p on the side of my head. I got friends to look at my hair and they saw that there were lots of patches at the back too. I went to see the doctor and they diagnosed alopecia. I was given a high dose of steroids for a bit, but it just was not stopping, it was relentless.”
The woman was told that there was a two-year waiting list for dermatology at the time so she booked an appointment with a private dermatologist in Belfast, who prescribed more steroid injections which unfortunately had no impact.
“The dermatologist diagnosed alopecia and wrote in her notes that I believed it was caused by the vaccine,” she continued.
“By summer 2021, I had lost all my hair, and all my body hair was coming out, my eyelashes came out, my eyebrows came out, absolutely everything, I was like a newborn baby.
“The hair seems to come back a little bit when you get a blast of sun but it's not full, it's patchy. That will stay until about December and then it falls out again by March, and I’m bald again.
“I also had Hyperhidrosis (a condition characterised by abnormally excessive sweating) for several years after the vaccine and I believe this was another side effect. I would have been working and it looked like I had just taken a shower. I was completely soaked.”
The woman says she has been carrying out her own research over the last number of years and while she said it’s very rare to lose your hair through a vaccine side effect, it does happen.
She states that there is no history of the autoimmune condition in her family and she was previously very healthy.
The woman is a member of the UKCVFamily, a charity and community of individuals that have experienced adverse reactions to, or have been bereaved by Covid-19 vaccination.
Representatives from the charity gave evidence at the Covid-19 Inquiry and also featured the County Derry woman’s case study in a book which has recently been published.
“I feel bad because people have lost their lives but it’s so tough as I’m living with the long-term effects of it. I have worked with dementia patients who thought I was a man and because of this they would get aggressive with me. Others think I am a cancer patient and would ask me how my treatment is going. Then if I am out and meet children in the street they just stare at me. All I have in my life at the minute is my family, job and animals, my dog and cats.”
The woman says she is not entitled to any compensation for Covid-19 vaccine injuries as she has not been left disabled as a result of the jab.
“I think other side effects and injuries from the vaccine should be taken into account. That's what was brought up at the inquiry and they should really be looking at that seriously. There's people out there that can't even leave the house or they're really, really much worse than me.
“You know, the last thing that the dermatologist said was, ‘we can give you money for a wig’. And that is the solution. Why don't you get a wig? I never was somebody to, like, dress up or put too much make-up on. I would never get a wig because I feel it would look too obvious - I just have to embrace this look. I just stand out like a sore thumb but people have got used to me now because I go to the same shops all the time and I don’t leave the town I live in.”
The woman said she believes that there should be more awareness around the potential side effects associated with vaccines.
“I believe I am proof of where it can go wrong. We are told that the vaccine is safe and effective but when you look at the Yellow Card scheme (reports of suspected side effects or adverse drug reactions to any medicines or vaccines, as well as medical device incidents) you see all these side effects people have suffered but they aren’t being openly reported.
“If I could turn back time I would have done things differently. I had contracted Covid in 2020 so had natural immunity. There was no need for me to take the vaccine. I followed the guidelines and did what I was expected to do but here I am sitting like this and feel that I have no support whatsoever from the government that told me to take this. The waiting list for dermatology is now eight years and one month. By the time we get to eight years, it will likely go up again.
“It would be nice to even just be listened to, to say, ‘look, we recognise that this has happened to you and it should be reported that this can happen for other people so that they can know’.
“My life's completely changed, it’s been ruined and I don’t really see a future. I just don't think it's (hair) coming back. I mean, because it's so severe, I think this is how I will spend the rest of my days - bald.”
The Department of Health said the vast majority of side effects are mild and short-term.
“All vaccines and medicines have some side effects although not everybody gets them, and the vast majority of side effects are mild and short lasting. Anyone attending for vaccination should be provided with a leaflet that provides information about the vaccine they are due to receive, including any known side effects. Unfortunately, in some very rare cases, an individual may be injured or suffer more severe side effects, and we fully sympathise with anyone who finds themselves in this position. The Minister has recently met with various groups who represent those who believe they have been injured as a result of receiving a Covid-19 vaccination, and officials continue to engage on an ongoing basis,” said a spokesperson.
“An individual who believes they have suffered side effect is advised to seek advice from their own GP, who will be best placed to consider their individual needs based on their medical history.
“All the COVID-19 vaccines used in Northern Ireland have been approved and deployed for use following rigorous clinical trials and extensive analysis of the vaccine’s safety, quality, and effectiveness by experts from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) This is an independent and expert organisation.
“Once approved, vaccines are also closely monitored to continue to make sure they remain safe and effective. The MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme collates information on all suspected adverse reactions that have been reported to the MHRA for each of the COVID-19 vaccines. This includes all reports received from healthcare professionals, members of the public, and pharmaceutical companies.
“Throughout the pandemic the Department has been guided by the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) in relation to who should be offered a COVID-19 vaccine.
“The Vaccine Damage Scheme is a UK-wide scheme, and is available for those who believe they have been severely damaged as a result of receiving a vaccine. This scheme is administered by NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) and the Department has no role in any decisions.
“Module 4 of the Covid Inquiry was recently published (here), and the Department will take time to consider its findings and recommendations. One of the Recommendations is to reform the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme , which will be a matter for UK Government Health Ministers.”