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!
