All About My COVID-19 Vaccine Experience
The COVID-19 vaccine was available to me quicker than I could have expected. Even with my job in healthcare, I thought I would be waiting a lot longer. Regardless, I was excited.. and a little nervous.
If you’re reading this right now, it has been exactly 4 weeks since my second dose. Making the appointment and getting vaccinated was easily the best decision I’ve made during this pandemic.
I understand that others have concerns about being vaccinated against COVID-19, so I’m sharing details of my COVID-19 vaccine experience here.
*Disclaimer: I am only sharing my personal experience with getting vaccinated. I mention taking ibuprofen here, but please, speak with a medical professional to discuss what are safe medications to take based on your personal medical history.
Why I Got Vaccinated:
For me, the benefits outweigh the risks. A lot of people cite the quick development of the Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J vaccines and lack of long term clinical trial data as reasons why they aren’t comfortable with getting vaccinated yet (or at all). I wasn’t concerned about the quick development because:
- The vaccine is mRNA based, meaning that it teaches our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The immune response makes antibodies, and antibodies protect us from infection.
- Scientists have been working on vaccines since it was sequenced in January 2020. Modern technology and scientific advancement enabled the quick turnaround for our vaccine options.
- The vaccines have completed all research phases. No steps were skipped during clinical trials, and all were found to be safe.
I do not have any allergies or pre-existing conditions and I have never had any serious vaccine related side effects at any point in my life.
My biggest worry was getting COVID-19 and spreading it to a loved one. My second biggest worry was getting COVID myself. Although young adults generally bounce back from illness, there have been many instances where they are left with terrible long term effects.
Being vaccinated would bring me some comfort. My movements are already limited, but that isn’t enough to stop me from worrying.
Getting the Vaccine:
When I arrived at my first appointment on January 7th, I was given a fact sheet that explained what COVID-19 is, the vaccine ingredients, and the side effects I may experience after being vaccinated. It was basically all of the information found here. I already pre-registered with the instructions my employer provided, so I just needed to verify general information and get the vaccine.
It’s a simple shot, quick and easy. I waited the mandatory 15 minutes, finished my work day, and felt fine. My arm was sore for 2 days and I didn’t take any medication for the soreness.
My second appointment on February 4th started the same way. But this time, admittedly, I was a bit nervous about side effects that others had been experiencing. I had already heard that people who had never experienced any side effects besides soreness for any vaccine were feeling the side effects this time. I got my shot, waited 15 minutes, was cleared to leave, and went back to work. I planned a half day in the office just in case.
I was tired in the afternoon, but I brushed it off because I hadn’t been getting much sleep. But a couple hours later I felt pretty rough. The timeline goes like this:
10:30 AM- Arrive at vaccine location, check in, and get vaccinated
11:00 AM- Back in the office after 15 minute waiting period
1:00 PM- Leave the office early as planned to WFH for the rest of the day
2:00 PM- I have a headache so I rest for an hour
3:00 PM- I feel a lot better, log back in to work some more
7:30 PM- I’m feeling very fatigued at this point. I go get comfy in bed.
10:00 PM- Still feeling very fatigued, I start having some chills too. Nothing too terrible.
12:30 AM- I get out of bed and take 2 ibuprofen tablets. I have a low grade fever, chills, and body aches. My immune system definitely recognizes the second shot at this point and I’m exhausted. I go to sleep.
Next day, Friday, February 5th:
8:00 AM- Wake up to check my work email. Feeling groggy, but when that wears off after a few minutes I realize that I still feel fatigued. I start working on my to-do list and see how much I can get done.
9:30 AM- Notice I have a fever. Also my left arm is a bit sore (I’m right handed so I asked to get vaccinated on the left). Take 2 ibuprofen tablets.
11:00 AM- I’m really tired. Time for a nap.
12:50 PM- Wake up. Call in to meeting at 1PM.
5:00 PM- Another nap.
6:30 PM- Wake up feeling slightly better. Take 1 ibuprofen. Hang out in bed for the evening.
Saturday, February 6th:
9:30 AM- Wake up feeling less fatigued, still sleepy though. I got around 9.5 hours of sleep. Hang out in bed for most of the morning.
Noon- Feel MUCH better. Start doing chores.
3:00 PM- Feeling 100% normal.
Now, here I am a month later, still feeling absolutely normal. Being vaccinated and experiencing the exact side effects that I was warned about is much better than being vulnerable to COVID-19 and not knowing if i’ll be back to normal after the virus is gone.
Why I’m Still “Quarantining” After Being Vaccinated:
I’m still “quarantining” after being fully vaccinated simply because it’s the safe thing to do.
Throughout this pandemic I’ve limited my movement to going into the office a few times , the store for groceries, and picking up a takeout order. There was some socially distanced outdoor activity in the summer, but I haven’t been going outdoors much since late fall.
I had a lot of travel plans but I put them all on hold last year. This year I’m planning a staycation or two and maybe even a road trip. I don’t feel comfortable with getting on a plane right now, and I don’t think I will until next year. We’ll see.
Do you have any questions about anything I’ve shared? Or just a general question/comment about being vaccinated? I’d love to hear it!
