I Received My Pfizer Booster
It was time to get additional protection.
Yesterday, at my job, there was an outdoor vaccination center set up on our campus. The sun shone overhead as hundreds of students poured out of the building. As the buses rolled out, signaling the end of another school day and the beginning of a three-day weekend, I walked over to the tent area to check in.
After presenting proof of my two previous vaccination shots, I was seated with a nurse who verified my information. After a brief wait for additional doses, the nurse prepared the dosage, wiped my upper left arm with an alcohol patch, and administered the booster shot. I felt a slight pinch and then it was over. I had received my booster shot.
For getting my booster shot, I received an updated vaccination card and a gift card to Stop and Shop. I was reminded by the nurse who was finalizing my paperwork to drink plenty of water over the next few days and to be prepared for flu-like symptoms. Additionally, if I experienced any body aches, I should take either Tylenol or ibuprofen.
After running some errands, I got home and drank a bottle of water. I kept another bottle nearby as I ate and checked my email. My upper arm felt fine. The soreness hadn’t kicked in yet. I was glad. The previous two shots had both caused soreness almost immediately.
It is now Saturday morning. After a good night’s sleep, I awakened and felt the soreness in my left arm. But so far, that’s all I’ve experienced. My second dosage had caused soreness, body ache, stiffness, and a stuffy nose. I was miserable! I was so glad the symptoms only lasted a day. But right now, I’m happy that only my left arm is sore.
I’m relieved that I have my booster shot. Many of my students aren’t vaccinated and every day I worry if I might bring home viral residue from a day of teaching. I don’t want my family to become sick. Although they’re vaccinated, the virus keeps mutating. The Delta Variant and subsequent variants are becoming stronger and stronger. Unless medical science discovers a cure, we may need vaccinations for the rest of our lives.
If you’re not vaccinated, please consider getting the shot. Whether it’s Pfizer or Moderna (I don’t trust the J & J vaccine), you’re helping yourself, your family, and your community keep the infection rate down. Wear your mask if you don’t want to get vaccinated. Wear it properly over your nose and mouth. I’ve seen too many students become sick because of improper mask-wearing. The virus is here and it’s here for the foreseeable future.
