On December 28th, 2020, I was lucky enough to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. I am a health care worker at a closed-door pharmacy that delivers medications to long-term care facilities and home hospices. When we got the opportunity to get the vaccine, my boss encouraged us to all take it because we send out medications to one of the most vulnerable populations; the elderly. I’m not going to lie, I was a little apprehensive about taking the vaccine, but I know that the health of my family, friends, and those around me is too important to jeopardize, so I volunteered to take the vaccine. I am so glad I did.
I was vaccinated around 1 p.m. that day and did not start feeling any side effects until about 6 p.m. that evening. I was waiting for fever and chills but I was met with a sore arm and it hurt so bad. I couldn’t even lift my arm the slightest without wincing in pain. Compared to the flu shot, I would say this makes your arm hurt much worse and my coworkers can confirm it. Lucky for us, the pain went away after a day or so and life resumed as normal – until the microchip the government inserted in me turned on. Just kidding!
The second dose was a different story. On the morning of January 25th, I was ecstatic to be receiving the second dose of my Moderna vaccine later that day. Around noon, I was given my second dose and I proceeded to work for the next three hours. A couple of hours later, I went back with my sister so she could get her vaccine (she works with me) and I felt little to no side effects. My arm felt like I had a bruise, but nothing too serious – then 6 o’clock hit. My body began to ache and I felt chills running through my body like it was an Olympic track event. I decided to call it a night at around 9 p.m. and it was impossible to sleep peacefully. I woke up every two hours or so, with chills and hot sweats and whimpering in pain because my muscles ached so bad. When I woke up the next morning I was in a puddle of sweat and it hurt to walk. I also noticed that I had a pounding headache, and it felt like my brain was being tossed around by two professional football players whenever I bobbed my head or moved it slightly. I still had chills, but my arm wasn’t in pain at all. Instead, I felt like I would occasionally step on a nail, with a pain shooting through my legs. It was easier to fall asleep that night and when I woke up the next day, I still had a pounding headache that lasted for another three days.
Despite all this, I would still get vaccinated again if I had the chance. My sister and some of my coworkers had similar side effects and others had no side effects at all. I know that it can be daunting to get vaccinated, but it’s important that we all do our part to protect those around us. The side effects are worth it and I can promise you, that if the government is inserting microchips inside us, you won’t feel it at all! ;)