Receiving the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

I started to write this article to soothe my nerves, as I sat in my car just prior to my COVID-19 vaccine appointment. I was eligible for it because of my part time work as an in-home care provider for older adults. I agreed because I want to do my part to stop the virus from spreading.

Earlier in the week, when I first learned I was eligible and booked my time, those I told were excited for me. Some people even congratulated me. I was less enthusiastic. I'm not typically an early adopter of anything and vaccine injury stories scare me. Regardless, I rolled up my sleeve to receive a shot that, a year ago, wasn't even heard of.

I received the vaccine at the County Public Health's offices on Iris Street in Boulder. Arriving on site, I was asked to fill out some forms and wait in my car until five minutes before the test. After that, I joined a short, socially distanced line until it was my turn to enter the building.

Most lines are inconveniences, but this one reassured me. While I may be an early adopter of a vaccine, I'm not the only one. While waiting, I'd learned from Emergency Manager Chris Campbell, who was responsible for the site's smooth operation, that there were 200 people vaccinated in a test run last week and just under 400 receiving the vaccine the same day I did.

Campbell described how smoothly the process had gone, which was consistent with my experience. I asked about side effects and was told that people who had received the shot so far had some nausea and/or evening tiredness almost like a cold or flu. That meant the vaccine was working.

Once I proceeded into the building, staff was cheerful and helpful. I was asked the same safety questions at several different points towards the clinic: whether I'd received a COVID vaccine already, whether I'd been diagnosed with COVID already, if I was immunocompromised, if I was pregnant or breastfeeding, or if I'd had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or to ingredients in the vaccine.

The vaccine was one of the least painful shots I'd experienced. Once I was done, I was given my vaccine card and information about a way to register to report any side effects using my smartphone. The nurse also advised me to keep on top of tracking the date when I was due for part two of the vaccine. At this point, the process for receiving the second shot wasn't clear to her and she didn't want me to miss it.

Just after receiving the vaccine, I joined one last line to check into a room where I could monitor my symptoms for 15 minutes. I sat there without any problems, even exceeding the required time so I could keep working on this article.

Ten minutes after I left the waiting room and around 35 minutes after getting the vaccine, I began to have a very mild allergic reaction. I had vaguely numb lips and hands, a small headache, and slightly closed throat, though breathing was always easy. I considered heading back to the clinic, but waited it out just a bit longer and the effects subsided. The worst part was the few minutes of indecision.

In retrospect, I believe I made the wrong call about waiting to report an allergic reaction. I'd advise anyone who experiences anything they weren't expecting to return to the clinic. Don't take chances. If I have another allergic reaction during the second dose, I'll let someone know.

That evening, I felt the cold-like symptoms and sore arms I'd heard about. It persisted a few days, but I rested and eventually the cold symptoms went away.

Three days after the injection, I'm OK, but still nervous. I think about the long term effects of the vaccine. At the same time, I'm glad that if someone needs my help, I'm in a better position to be closer to them and stay safe myself. To me, that makes it worthwhile.