It’s been a bit of a struggle trying to get an answer out of various members of the medical profession about whether or not I should have the second shot of vaccine. I had three weeks of a hot, red arm that was swollen and itchy, and in desperation I had to visit my GP who recommended an ice pack for 15 minutes out of every hour, plus a daily anti-histamine.

I duly applied the ice pack for the regulation 15 minutes per hour for 2 days, coupled with Loratadine anti-histamines, which eventually took the heat and redness out of my arm. The GP stated that he would have to report my reaction via the Yellow Card scheme, but when I asked him whether I should have the second dose, he was very evasive and said if he were in my shoes he would have to think very carefully.

I…