The coronavirus pandemic has forced us to spend the last year at home. Because vaccines are now available and being administered, it’s time to restart interacting with others more regularly.
I wanted to write this post to share my experience of getting the vaccine. I also wanted others who haven’t been vaccinated yet to get a better idea of what to expect about the process. This is a three-part series detailing my experience being vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine.
Since the vaccines being used to fight the devastation the virus is causing in different countries was approved so quickly, I was a bit apprehensive about getting the vaccine.
Most vaccines go through rigorous testing before they are considered safe and effective for people who choose to get vaccinated. I felt like this was the best choice for me so that life could start to return to some sort of normalcy.
Although I am getting vaccinated, I can do my part by continuing to wear a mask and practice social distancing when I have to leave my house. There are still people who haven’t been vaccinated for various reasons and others they may come into contact with that could inadvertently be affected by my actions.
I thought that getting the vaccine would be as easy as making an appointment with my doctor. After doing some research and calling my doctor, I found out he didn’t have any doses of the vaccine available. It turns out they weren’t sure if or when they would be administering doses to patients. They directed me to the CDC website so that I could get the required medical necessity documentation. The documents were sent to me electronically, so I didn’t have to go to their office. When I looked into the other options available to me, I found out that the local health department was administering doses. Some stores such as Walmart, Sam’s Club and Publix were also options for people interested in getting the shot. Since I know that Publix has given out flu vaccines in the past, I was comfortable in choosing them as my preferred option to get my vaccine.
I had to get up early to complete my online reservation. Once I was on the website, and because I was not an educator or part of the age requirement at that time, I had to wait a while to input my information. Once my appointment was reserved, I got a confirmation email with both my initial appointment as well as for my second vaccination.
I must admit that I was a little nervous the night before the appointment. It was honestly because I did not know what to expect. I’ve been vaccinated before with no problem, so I think it was fear of the unknown. Regardless of the anxiety I was feeling, I was determined not to let it stop me from this first step back toward the active life I had pre-pandemic.
We arrived at the grocery store and they had a designated person checking people in for their vaccine. When I got back to the pharmacy, I let the pharmacist know that the shot needed to be given to me in my right arm due to my disability. He had to correct my card and move the chair but was quick to adjust to my request. The vaccination process was quick, and I was on my way as fast as I had gotten to the store. This experience makes me a bit more at ease when it’s time for my next dose.
Now it’s your turn. Do the research necessary to make the best choice for you and your family. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor to figure out the best option for you. I will be back with more of my post vaccination experience.