Our waiting for the first Covid vaccination finally ended last Wednesday when we were fortunate to receive our first injection of the Pfizer vaccine. Back when the vaccines first came out, I signed up on three different waiting lists, a state, a county and at a local hospital. The age group we qualified for (over 65) had been open for over a month before I received an email offering us appointments through the state list I had signed up on.
We had a very good experience from start to end. I was at first not sure what it would be like since it was the first “mass vaccinations” done in our area. It was held at a large company’s office headquarters in North Kansas City. The National Guard was handling much of the event.
We arrived at the first parking area and were directed where to park and told to wait in the car. Within five minutes a Guardsman came to our car and checked our appointment confirmations. He then directed us to another parking lot next to the building. There were uniformed Guardsmen all over the parking lots directing the cars where to go and where to park. They even had Valet parking for those that could not walk very far.
Once we parked, we went in the building after being given medical masks to wear over the masks we already had on. Although there was a line of people, we very quickly went into the area where the shots were given and received our shots. We were then directed to a large room with spaced chairs to wait the required 15 minutes. They had slides playing on a large screen telling us what to expect as far as any side effects. As soon as the time was up we went back to the car and left. Everything was very efficient and it only took 30 minutes from the time we went inside until we left, including the waiting time. By the look of the number of people I would guess they were getting at least 200 – 300 in and out each hour.
We have done fine since we received our vaccine. Tom has not had any side effects and I only had a few minor ones. I had a slightly sore arm and I felt achy for that evening and the next day. My glands on the left side of my neck have also been a bit sore and that is all. We go back for our second shot in three weeks. I know we will still have to wear masks and be cautious but it does give a feeling of being at least a little safer.
I hope anyone that has not been able to get vaccinated yet
will be able to very soon. For those in
the U.S. there are finally more doses becoming available and I hear by May they
will be vaccinating everyone, not just the older or immune compromised. I hope everyone has had a wonderful
weekend! I send my best to you all!
Ellie and I are receiving our second Pfizer doses tomorrow morning. Hoping for a quick in-and- out like you and Tim had. Our first go-round included a wait between filling out the forms and receiving the vaccine of about an hour and a half.
ReplyDeleteI hope all goes well with your second shot tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a little faster for you the second time around. More than anything I am glad you and Ellie have been able to get the vaccinations!
DeleteI mean Tom, of course!
ReplyDelete; )
DeleteI am happy your experience was a good one. I am glad you have this first vaccine behind you now. Hope you have a nice week.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mildred. I'm glad we were able to get it and I am hoping the majority of the population will be able to get it soon. I see that as our best way of getting past this pandemic. You have a wonderful week as well!
DeleteI am glad it went well for you two and did not take forever...
ReplyDeleteThank you Rose. I didn't know what to expect and I was impressed with how well it was handled. Take care Rose!
DeleteSo glad you were able to get the vaccine and happy to hear it all went quickly and smoothly. Great to hear you both feel fine too! I haven't hit 65 yet so who knows how long I'll have to wait at this point. Have great Sunday evening!
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing that they hope to be able to start vaccinating everyone in May. If you have the opportunity to sign up on any wait lists it can be helpful to do that. I signed us up on three different lists and it still took a couple of months to hear anything. Have a good week Martha!
DeleteHooray! I'm do happy to hear about my friends getting vaccinated!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer! I feel the same way every time someone I know gets vaccinated.
DeleteOnce we had enough vaccine and could start the process, we've shown this country knows how to do the job. I've read of nothing but efficiency wherever people are being vaccinated.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Joanne, and what you said about having enough vaccine is really what is finally getting things going. We had very low supplies of vaccines in our state until just recently and now we are finally getting enough in to start getting it out. I was very impressed with how efficient the whole process was especially with so many people coming in and out. Everyone was so nice and helpful too.
DeleteSounds great how you were looked after. It's too bad that authorities couldn't get their act together earlier and it could have saved much suffering.
ReplyDeleteThe problem where I live was the lack of enough vaccine to have the mass vaccinations. Our state had very low supplies until just in the last week or two and now they are making up for it.
DeleteI'm glad you have started the vax. I got my first shot, but had to find it myself, many hours online starting at 4am daily. None of the sites signed up for ever got back to me. State, county, two hospitals, two searchers, nothing. CVS ended in success. And a great experience on the day, courteous, helpful, fast, very well done. The state megasites shi eventually gave out appointments kept people standing in the cold at least an hour, then another hour indoors etc. I heard this several times, different sites.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you have had your first shot! If I had not searched online and signed us up on three different lists I doubt if we would have gotten these shots when we did. I really worry about people that have no computer and internet access because that is how so many people register for vaccinations. If more places like CVS start getting the vaccine that will really help a lot of people. I'm glad to hear you had a good experience.
DeleteDefinitely something to feel good about! I am glad everything went so smoothly. It is still a very bumpy ride here, from all I know - and I doubt my sister and I (both in our early 50s with no added risk factors) will get our jabs before late summer.
ReplyDeleteBut this week Friday, I will have my very first Covid test, in view of my volunteering work at the voting venue on Sunday.
I hope you and your sister will not have to wait too long to get your vaccines. Have your parents been able to get theirs yet? I think it is one step at a time for all of us. I just read your blog about you volunteering at the voting venue this Sunday. Good for you for helping out! Take care Meike!
DeleteGood to know you have had the first vaccination. Over here we are not getting our second until 12 weeks after the first as they reckon that will work just as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it is one vaccine at a time that will get us back to a more normal life! I've heard about the wait time difference and I think the important thing is that everyone gets the second shot!
DeleteCongrats! It is wonderful to know you'll be vaccinated fully soon, isn't it? I had flu-like symptoms and such for a week, but then I have chronic health issues to begin with so no surprise--LOL! Have a great week. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita! I know you did have more problems with your first vaccine but I hope you are feeling better now!
DeleteThat is wonderful news for you. It makes you feel life is slowly returning to normal.
ReplyDeleteYes, I feel better every time I hear about anyone getting the vaccine as that is what will get us closer to ending this pandemic!
DeleteThat is great news Bonnie. I had my first jab a couple of weeks ago and have to wait to be invited for my second jab in a couple of months. I hope you have a lovely week ahead. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Simone. I am so happy to hear that you have had your first jab! We will all get there eventually! I hope you are well and having a good week as well! x
DeleteCongratulations, I had tears in my eyes after getting both my shots. It was very emotional. I had a little rough going after the second shot - fatigue and weakness - but am now doing better and passed my two weeks after mark last Friday. After keeping to CDC rules closely, I am still hesitant about being in stores and crowds. Baby steps now until I get some confidence.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear you have had both shots! Yes, it was a special feeling to finally get the first shot. I'm sure I was never so excited about a shot! I'm sorry you had trouble after the second one. I keep hearing that is the one that causes the most side effects. We will plan on staying home the day after our second shot, just in case. I understand the need for baby steps! I will still be avoiding large crowds and situations where people are very close and of course we will still be wearing masks. I hope you are well and having a good week!
DeleteA mild reaction seems to be what everyone I know reports. It is truly great that by end of May everybody will be vaccinated. A big happy step toward "cautious" normality.
ReplyDeleteI don't think everyone will be vaccinated by the end of May as it will take a very long time to get everyone. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. It has been said that they hope to start vaccinating people under 65 in May which means the vaccinations are open to all adults. That will be a good thing to get us on the road to getting out of this pandemic! I hope you are having a good week Susan!
DeleteYeah for vaccinations! So glad you got yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks Connie! We are all getting there, sooner or later!
DeleteDear Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteWell, this is very good news for you and although we are still waiting, it really does lift the spirits to know that the vaccination roadshow is rolling out all over the world and that our turn will come.
As you say, it feels a little safer and one can believe that we are inching towards a resolution to these dark and dreadful days. Nothing like the army to arrange such large scale manoeuvres with precision!
It does lift the spirits every time another person gets the vaccine because I know we are all more than ready to leave this pandemic behind us! I do hope both of you will be able to get your jabs before too much longer.
DeleteI send you both my best! Have a wonderful week!
That's great news Bonnie. For whatever reason we do it the one we are all together on is that we are doing it for each other. I like that. xxx
ReplyDeleteRachel you are absolutely correct, we are all doing it for each other. I like that too, in fact that is the best way to put it! xxx
DeleteInteresting to know how vaccines are being rolled out in different places.
ReplyDeleteAlso interesting to know what reactions, if any, people get. There is so much complete rubbish out there it is good to read some first hand experiences.
Yes, I like seeing all the different ways the vaccinations are handled too. The one I describe here was a Mass Vaccination held indoors. Some are done in drive throughs, where you don't even get out of the car and I have heard of other ways they are handled.
DeleteThere is a lot of rubbish out there about them. I like to read the first hand experiences too. I keep hearing the second shot has stronger side effects but I'm sure different people respond differently.
A friend of mine had his third shot yesterday. Yes third one. He had two shots, three weeks apart and four weeks later took an antibody test. He had virtually no antibodies. One week later he got a third shot. For his first two shots he had no reaction at all. This time his arm feels sore at the injection site...he is a happy bunny. Will be interesting to hear about his next antibody test.
DeleteWow, Traveller that is interesting and the first time I've heard of that happening! Normally I don't think they give antibody tests after the shots. I wonder if he was in a special study group? That makes me wonder because my husband had no side effects.
DeleteVery pleased that you and Tom have now received your first doses of the anti-Covid vaccine. And here's a message to any anti-vaxxers out there - follow Bonnie and Tom's example and do not be a silly scaredy cat!
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I'm happy for you that you've had the first dose!
DeleteI am very glad that you had a good experience. We are still waiting as the vaccine roll out here seems to be taking a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It seems like they are getting more vaccine released now so hopefully soon you both will be able to get your first vaccines.
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to get your first vaccine. Sure glad we are done with both. It is a good feeling. We got the Moderna (think I spelled it right) anyhow, I had zero side effects from the first shot...until the eighth day when my arm swelled up and turned red and itched. It was so weird. The following day it went away. I read online about others who had had this same reaction.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about that arm problem that can show up a week after the shot. They call it Covid Arm and it is not serious. I'm glad it went away the next day for you! The more people that get the vaccine the better I feel so we can finally end this pandemic!
DeleteGood news, indeed. Know that gives you at least some hope for normality in the months to come. Getting my second jab on Saturday at a local grocery store.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear you are getting your second jab! Every time I hear that someone has gotten their vaccine I feel that much closer to the end of this!
DeleteYay! I got my second Moderna shot three weeks ago at a hospital not so far from home in New York City. Very organized and everyone was very nice. No side effects with the first and minimal -- tiredness and a headache -- with the second. So grateful!
ReplyDeleteHi Buttercup, it is nice to see you here! I am so happy for you that you've gotten both shots and have done well with them. If you are three weeks past the second shot then you must be in good shape as they say we are protected two weeks after the second shot. I know we still have to wear masks and be cautious but this must be a big relief for you!
DeleteGreat news, Bonnie. I am glad it went so well for you and Tom.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Shife. Maybe by May you and Mrs. Shife will be able to get your vaccines!
DeleteBonnie, I appreciate you sharing this--I'm a few years away from the 65+ group so I'm still waiting, but honestly didn't have a clue about the whole process. Very glad things went relatively well for you & Tom, and from what Dr.Fauci says, this should be a HUGE relief--the first shot alone is supposed to be really effective. Anyway this is my first time here and you have a really nice (and very popular) blog! :^)
ReplyDeleteHi Doug, it's so nice to see you here! We feel fortunate to have gotten the first shot. Missouri was not moving at all with getting the vaccine out until just a couple of weeks ago. We have a Republican governor that was no help with the Pandemic but thankfully now Biden is pushing for getting the vaccine out faster. I think many more will be able to get their shots soon now. Thanks for stopping by Doug!
DeleteI feel that every vaccination is bringing us one step closer to 'normal'. Will be anxious to hear how the second shot goes.
ReplyDeleteHi Debby, it's good to see you here! Yes you are absolutely right about each vaccination bringing us closer to normal. I'm curious to see how the second shot goes too as they say that one has more side effects for some people. Still it is so worth it. I will post about it after I get it.
Delete