Vaccination Expectations

This week, I struggled a bit with deciding what to share with you. Why?
Because all I can think about is my joy over having just received the COVID-19 vaccine. So... Here are my thoughts and experience thus far.

One year ago, the world stood still. Across the globe, populations were dealing with a virus we knew very little about. We were forced to lock down borders, stay home, and find creative ways to protect ourselves on trips to the grocery store. We worked from home, taught children on laptops, and fought over toilet paper.

Thanks to the incredible scientific community who began searching almost immediately for a way to protect us, in December of 2020, the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in the US. My family and I had been deeply affected by the repercussions of how widespread this virus became in the months leading to the release of the vaccine. I was filled with rage that some people refused to wear masks and threw parties with the intent of getting others sick for fun, while I was stuck on another continent, unable to say goodbye to one of the single most important people in my life, who made me who I am. I couldn't hold his hand and tell him one last time that I love him from this world to the next. So when the opportunity presented itself for me to be able to receive the vaccine, I was beyond ready. I sat in front of the computer waiting for the clock to strike 9:00 am so that I could log in and schedule my first dose.

My eyes filled with tears as I pulled up to the drive-through location where a very friendly nurse injected the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine into my left arm. Since then, I have had a few mild side effects including body and headaches, and have been told to expect more with the second dose. So maybe that means I stay in bed for a day or two. Maybe I need round-the-clock doses of Tylenol and rest. I'd say that's a pretty small price to pay to protect my life and the lives of others. To help bring an end to this so we can all hug each other once more, travel, and not send our loved ones to the hospital to die alone. Don't you think? If you have a medical condition that prevents you from getting vaccinated, or you very strongly disagree with the science behind it, I simply ask that you please, please wear a mask, get tested regularly, and stay home when you are feeling sick. Just like the rest of the world, I never expected to be in this position. I never expected to get a vaccine that has only met FDA emergency approval guidelines, but here I am. We can only end this if we all do our part. How we approach this is critical to what our future looks like.