Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine My name is Shirley and I recently took the COVID-19 vaccine. You might wonder how I got it so fast. Well, the fact is that I work in a healthcare center and my hospital system obtained the vaccine for all employees and is now supplying the community with the vaccine. Yes, I do live with sickle cell anemia and I am 64 years old. I have been able to manage my condition and don’t have many interruptions in my life. I work a full-time job and really enjoy working. When my company alerted me to make an appointment to get the vaccine, I followed the instructions immediately. When I got my appointment for the first shot, I got an appointment for the second shot. I received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on December 22, 2020. I thought the shot hurt less than the annual flu shot that all healthcare workers are required to get. I took Tylenol before going to bed that night. I woke to a sore arm, but no other side effects. The sore arm lasted two days. I received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on January 11, 2021. This time, I didn’t even feel the shot going in my arm. I wondered if there was anything in the needle, but I knew they wouldn’t make that mistake. I had much less soreness in my arm and I felt good. It has been reported that some people may feel a low-grade fever and a few aches and pains after the second dosage. I didn’t feel anything until three days later. I experienced a few aches in my legs and a little fatigue. I did not experience a fever. I took a mild medication, grabbed my heating pad, and stayed in bed most of the day. The next day, I felt much better and the day after that I was back to my normal self. The reason I decided to take the vaccine was that I wanted to protect my immune system. I thought of this vaccine as I do the flu shot. Now I am advocating for all my family to get the vaccine. The distribution system is different with each state. Some are providing equitable opportunity for people to get the vaccine and some are not. If you are told you can get the vaccine, I would suggest you get it. I am still fighting for my 95-year-old mom to get the vaccine in her state.   Shirley Miller, MA National Advocate Charlotte, North Carolina