Woman escorted from clinic, asked to have spinal tap finally has Covid vaccine breakthrough

A Tasmanian woman who was hospitalised and barely able to walk after her first AstraZeneca dose, has finally received Pfizer as her second jab after a months-long push to mix the vaccines.

Sheenagh Neill was hospitalised and barely able to walk after her first AstraZeneca dose, followed by a months-long push to receive Pfizer as her second jab which has paid off.

The 60-year-old woman was eager to receive her jab in early May – her underlying health condition meant she was vulnerable to Covid-19 and she had hoped the vaccine would allow enough protection to visit her daughter interstate.

But her adverse reaction to AstraZeneca saw her rushed in an ambulance in debilitating pain to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

“I had brain fog, a temperature, I slept for 15 hours, I had stomach cramps, a massive headache and pain around the injection site,” Ms Neill said.

Sheenagh Neill of Hobart with her dog Rufus. Sheenagh was administered AstraZeneca for her first Covid vaccination and had a strong reaction. She has now gladly been approved to receive Pfizer for her second vaccination. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“When that went away I felt really unwell, I started to get tingling in my legs and hands.”

Ms Neill’s doctor gave her a referral to book the Pfizer as her second vaccine, but when she turned up at the clinic she got as far as pulling up her sleeve when the nurse said she could not give her Pfizer if she had already received AstraZeneca.

The Bellerive woman wrote to politicians and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation board to seek approval to be fully vaccinated but faced barriers, including a Public Health Hotline worker telling Ms Neill she needed to have a spinal tap to prove she’d experienced an allergic reaction before she could be approved for Pfizer.

“I have a daughter in Victoria, I won’t feel confident to go and see her if I’m not vaccinated,” Ms Neill said.

Signage at a Covid briefing in Hobart on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

“I’m already hearing lots of people saying they won’t let people into (their shops) unless they’re fully vaccinated.”

Ms Neill reached out to the Mercury after reading an article published online on Friday about Neal Plummer, a southern Tasmanian man who had also sought to mix his vaccines after an adverse reaction to AstraZeneca.

But since the Health Department announced a new specialist clinic set to arrive at the Launceston General Hospital in coming weeks, Ms Neill has had a breakthrough.

Pharmacist holds a vial of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Public Health told her on Friday she had been approved for a Pfizer vaccine on September 6.

“I’m so, so happy,” she said.

“It’s been a long time coming but I’m very happy to finally be heard. I can’t believe this.”

A Health Department spokesman said although ATAGI lacks the efficacy and safety data to recommend mixing vaccines, Tasmania can allow the mixing of brands “if there are sound medical reasons to do so”.

New specialist clinic touting option for mixed Covid vaccines

Friday August 27, 5am

Neal Plummer is waiting to become eligible for a Pfizer or Moderna dose after an allergic reaction to his first AstraZeneca jab, but a planned new clinic could provide certainty.

The south Tasmania man had an adverse reaction of anaphylaxis and hives following his first dose on June 1, which the Mercury reported at the time.

The 62-year-old’s doctor had recommended against receiving AstraZeneca again because of the allergy risks, but he has faced barriers because of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisationreserved stance on mixing different vaccines in Australia.

Mr Plummer has felt left in the dark following 12 weeks of calls, emails, appointments, some radio silence and nervous waiting resulting in the due date coming and going on Tuesday with no second Covid-19 vaccine.

“It’s entirely uncertain,” he said.

“There has been inconsistency (in what I’ve been told) all the way through.”

Mr Plummer feared not being fully vaccinated could prevent him heading interstate for potential work.

Student Holly Horne, 16, in year 11 at Elizabeth College is given her first Pfizer vaccination by Anne-Maree Kroon authorised nurse immuniser. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

He hoped Australia could learn from examples of mixed vaccine recipients overseas, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

A Tasmanian Health Department spokesman said a lack of efficacy and safety data had prevented ATAGI from recommending mixed vaccine brands, but in Tasmania a recommendation could be made if patients had certain medical conditions or met medical history criteria.

“Some referrals for approval to mix vaccines are straightforward and can be done immediately, however sometimes specialist clinical review is required,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman said Health has contacted Mr Plummer to tell him he was on a list of patients being considered for a new clinic at Launceston General Hospital.

“A specialist immunisation clinic will be established in the coming weeks based at the LGH and providing a statewide service to review patients such as Mr Plummer,” the spokesman said.

Signage to the coronavirus assessment clinic set up in Launceston. Picture: PATRICK GEE.

“If his clinical review is successful, we will work with Mr Plummer to ensure he is fully vaccinated.

“If anyone believes they should be considered to receive mixed vaccines, they first need to consult with their relevant healthcare provider to have a clinical review of any adverse event following immunisation.

“We are currently working with Primary Health Tasmania on sharing information with GPs regarding the mixed vaccine review process and ensuring the Public Health Hotline also has the latest information.”

Originally published as Woman escorted from clinic, asked to have spinal tap finally has Covid vaccine breakthrough