For several months, I think we have all started to understand that the pandemic was not going to end here until people were vaccinated. That’s not how it had to be, but because of the very loose restrictions that were put in place, that’s what’s going to happen. I know other countries have gotten past this without a vaccine, but most Americans have been waiting on when they could be vaccinated to have that same feeling of safety.
When vaccines started, I knew I wouldn’t be vaccinated right away. Other groups were more urgent than anything I would be listed under. And for a little while, it was unclear what other groups would be prioritized after healthcare workers and older people. I assumed that there would be an option for people at a higher risk of death and that I might be in that group. And that’s one of the first groups I had heard about that I would be eligible for. But it wasn’t too clear when that group would be vaccinated or how it would be determined they were at high-risk.
I started to get some vaccine envy over others who could be vaccinated and it wasn’t hard for them to prove their eligibility. And then I discovered that I might end up being eligible about 2 weeks earlier because of one of my day jobs. My data entry job is technically in emergency and county communications, and that was one of the groups listed. But I decided to call Kaiser at the end of this past week to talk to them about my options and I figured I would be waiting until later this month when high-risk people would be eligible and I just hoped I would discover how to make that happen while on the call.
To my surprise, when I called in, they agreed I would be eligible in the group for my day job. I wasn’t expecting that at all, and I sure wasn’t expecting to get an appointment so quickly! I called in on Friday and they asked if I wanted to make an appointment time for a vaccine on Sunday! Of course, I said yes because I have been saying for so long that I couldn’t wait for the vaccine.
But even after I had the appointment set and could see it listed on the Kaiser app, I was worried something would happen. Maybe they would decide I wouldn’t be eligible or that it was a mistake that I had an appointment. I brought a lot of paperwork with me to my appointment to show my job (like tax forms, contracts, agreements of responsibilities), but it was a very simple process when I got to Kaiser. I was very overprepared for what I needed.
When I arrived, I checked in and was immediately brought over to a desk to set up my second vaccine appointment. Since I had to have an appointment 21 days later, they wanted to make sure that I would have my spot before I got my vaccine. Then I had to wait in a waiting room for about 10 minutes for my turn to go back. I was nervous because I hate needles no matter what. But I was also excited since I couldn’t believe that something I have been waiting for was finally here.
The actual shot wasn’t too bad. I did black out a little (as expected), but I didn’t completely pass out. And even though others have said that it was painless and they didn’t feel the needle, I did. But it didn’t hurt much worse than a flu shot. Then I was brought into another waiting area where I had to wait for 15 minutes so they could make sure that I didn’t have any bad reaction. I wasn’t too worried that I would since nobody I know who has been vaccinated had a bad reaction after the shot. But I know they have to be careful. So I sat there and read my book before the nurse came over and told me I could leave.
I know the vaccine doesn’t change everything. Especially since this is only the first vaccine. I will still be wearing masks and staying home whenever I can. I’m not going to be making any huge changes to my life, but at the same time, it is a huge relief. I know that I don’t have to be in as much fear as I have been in the past year. I know that I won’t be as high-risk as I have been. And I know that for each of us who is vaccinated, we are that much closer to being at the end of this.
And of course, I took a selfie in my car with my vaccine card after. I feel like everyone is doing it, and I’m not ashamed to be a part of this trend. It is exciting and something to celebrate.
My next vaccine is in about 2 1/2 weeks. I’m not too nervous for that one beyond the normal nerves I have with shots. I know several people had bad side effects for a day or two after, but I’m ready for that. After this first shot, I had a bad headache and a lot of pain in my arm for about 2 days. But whatever side effects I have for the next one, I know it will be temporary and worth it. And in about 4 1/2 weeks, I will have the antibodies and should be fully protected. Again, that won’t change my behavior that much, but I will be more willing to take some risks (like going to the outdoor workouts) once that happens.
I still can’t believe I was so lucky. And I know that now vaccine production has been increased, everyone should be able to get a vaccine within the next few months. We are almost there and I can’t wait to be on the other side of this.
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