Last week they opened up vaccine-booking for age group 65+ here. I checked out the website the same morning I read about it in the local paper, but then there were no time slots open. I tried again in the evening, and then there were lots of times for Sunday afternoon, and I managed (2nd attempt) to book one. The next day I mentioned it on Facebook, and then a friend pm:d me and offered to drive me = transport solved.
So my friend picked me up on Sunday afternoon and drove me across town to the vaccination centre set up there. We arrived 25 min early, but there was no queue and I was allowed in straight away. Got my shot (the Astra vaccine), sat for 15 minutes in a waiting room afterwards (that's to make sure no one gets a severe allergic reaction) - and was out again before the original time I had booked. My friend was waiting in the car and drove me back home. The whole adventure took less than an hour. (Well - that part of it, anyway.)
On Monday, I did go through some side-effects, but I was prepared for that to happen. It started around 12 hrs after the injection (i.e. in the middle of the night) and involved slightly raised body temperature (with some initial shivering), tiredness, headache, and general muscle ache. As I have some chronic pain problems, primarily in my right shoulder/arm, I had asked to be given the shot in my left arm. Even so (but not really surprising to me), it was still primarily my right side that reacted with increased pain. (A rather odd feeling, hard to describe: knowing that there is a spot on your left arm that is 'rightfully' a bit sore, but it's still the right arm acting 'drama queen'...)
So I had a quiet Monday, just resting with audio books, radio and TV. (Heated up some soup for lunch.) Towards evening I was feeling better, and on Tuesday morning my temperature was back to normal. I'm still kind of feeling a little bit 'off' in a hard-to-define way, though. The injection spot is also still red and sensitive to touch, so I guess my body is still working away at trying to figure out what on earth hit it, and how to best deal with it.
I hope it will be done with the processing soon and then continue to quietly build up a good defense for possible future attacks; as my next shot won't be until the beginning of August. (Vaccine deliveries were delayed earlier in the spring, and it seems the current priority is to give as many people as possible their first shot.)
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Photos: Playing in Picasa with photos from the recent "We Knit For Peace" exhibition.
No.3 is from the waiting room after I got the jab, though. That was a bit surreal, too. People came quietly one by one and took a seat, and every now and then someone quietly rose and left, as their 15 minutes had passed. No one spoke; it was like a ritual of a short silent meditation...)
10 comments:
I like the edits... so glad you got the 1st vaccine. Yay for friends who help. Hope u are feeling better by now
The photos are so cool and artistic! I am so glad you got the vaccination! BUT you shouldn't have to wait so long for the next shot!
I like your photos, too, they do the original artwork/handicraft justice.
Glad your side effects weren't worse than that, it sounds pretty similar to what my Mum had. She, too, was vaccinated with the AZ vaccine. And same here in this country; due to the delay in vaccine deliveries, the aim is to give as many people as possible at least their first shot. Apparently, that's better than nothing.
Lucky you even got one, most of the country here is still waiting for our turn, only a small number of people have had the first one.
Hmmm, here the 2nd dose is 6 week waiting period. Guess this "brand" is different. Hope all side effects are gone sooner than later.
Thanks Sandra. Yes, it was very nice of my friend to offer to drive me. I could probably have taken the bus without problem, but as I did not know what the situation would be like there (or after), it was good to get a lift.
Thanks Ginny. It seems they now think that waiting longer with the 2nd dose of the Astra Vaccine is better. From the side-effects of the 1st, I also have to say I don't really mind waiting a bit for the next one. (I'm still a bit sore and itching around the injection spot, for one thing...)
Thanks Meike, and yes, they say after 2-3 weeks one should have quite quite good protection from the 1st shot, against getting seriously ill; and waiting longer before the next shot seems now to be recommended with the Astra vaccine.
Amy, most of the population here is still waiting as well, but they're working their way down from the oldest to the younger, and now they're getting more deliveries so it seems things are moving a bit faster.
Anni, it seems that from the latest results of studies they now recommend a longer waiting period for the type of vaccine that I was given, while for the other kind used here, they still give the 2nd shot sooner.
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