My Covid vaccination experience

[JimP]

I still have my original appointment on May 10th, which was supposed to be my first injection. I'll just bring my card, and make that appointment as my 2nd vaccine.

Just make sure that your second one is Moderna and not the Phyzer.

That is another problem that they are seeing when people go somewhere else for their first shot.

 

[shootist~]

To those of you who have received or plan to receive the J&J vaccine, what do you think of it only being 56-72% effective, depending on where the study was done?

I did the J&J since it was offered, but would have preferred the Pfizer. Bird in the hand thing.

I think there will be a booster(s) available later this year and not just for JnJ. The Britts are in a study right now to determine what happens if the second shot is of a different type. Results due out in June.

Also the 56% number (that was the preliminary on SA variant, IIRC), was adjusted upwards when the final results were published.

 

[CJW]

I did the J&J since it was offered, but would have preferred the Pfizer. Bird in the hand thing.

I think there will be a booster(s) available later this year and not just for JnJ. The Britts are in a study right now to determine what happens if the second shot is of a different type. Results due out in June.

Also the 56% number (that was the preliminary on SA variant, IIRC), was adjusted upwards when the final results were published.

72% was for here in the US. I just read a story of a 31 yr old female who caught covid after getting the J&J vaccine. She got so sick she had to go to the hospital. They say the vaccine is supposed to keep you from dying not necessarily to keep you from getting it but if a 31 yr old gets that sick what will happen to a 60+ yr old?

This whole thing is a fucking mess.

 

[Tanks]

Just for the record I had the second dose of Pfizer vaccine on the 5th, Same reaction as the first dose, just a sore arm for a couple of days.

 

[Brent in Az]

Some side effects this morning....

Sore shoulder
Feverish & Sweaty
Lethargic

 

[curtism1234]

Just for the record I had the second dose of Pfizer vaccine on the 5th, Same reaction as the first dose, just a sore arm for a couple of days.

Same for me. I took this past Friday off work in case I felt bad but I was perfectly fine.

The rollout in the state of Missouri was just horrible but things are rolling now.

Stats this morning are 50% of the US has received at least the 1st dose. Vaccine hesitancy has been dropping slightly as the weeks go by. It's critical we get to at least 70% with 80% more ideal. I think we will get there. It just takes time. I am hoping my 2 year old can get hers by this time next year.

 

[NE 7x57]

I'm scheduled to get the 2nd dose of the Moderna vaccine on the 20th. First dose I didn't really have much of anything for a reaction.

As to the discussions over whether to take the vaccine or not, in my opinion that's up to the individual. But one also needs to be aware that in the future it might limit your options to travel to certain locations.

As Americans we're spoiled by our healthcare system, even though we love to bitch about it. There are 2nd and 3rd world countries who can be expected to view those having the vaccine as carrying less risk for admittance than the unvaccinated. Risk, not only of bringing additional cases in but the risk of someone coming to their country, getting sick and then being a further burden on an already taxed healthcare system.

Additionally, while everyone wants to talk about the rate of survival with this virus the discussion of those who have messed up lungs or heart issues as a result of their bout with COVID are often discounted and it's disappointing there have not been more studies of this.

I have family who live out of the country in an area with COVID issues, so if I want to travel there as safely as possible this seems prudent for me.

After I get the 2nd dose I'll post the experience.

 

[Labman]

I've had both of the Phizer vaccines. The only side effect I noticed was being sleepy the evening of the second shot. Went to bed early and was fine the next day.

 

[Brent in Az]

After my first dose yesterday, I felt pretty crappy all day at work. An associate of mine told me that his girlfriend read an article that stated if you have symptoms after the first shot, it is possible that I was already exposed to the virus, and that the T Cells knew to attack the virus causing me to feel so poorly all day.?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Took my 1st shot of Pfizer yesterday. With all the shots over my military career I figured I wouldn't notice anything at all but within a couple hours I had a few minor side effects. Next morning back to normal. 2nd shot coming May 1st.
I do know that I will be laminating my vaccine card as the nurse said there is no replacements if one was to loose it.

And BnC makin’ copiesss....

 

[Trogon]

I am getting my 2nd shot of Moderna next Saturday April 17. Someone told me if you have been vaccinated; you don't need to take the PCR test before flying. Anyone here know if this is true? I am flying to hunt in South Africa on June 26.

You have to have the RT-PCR Swab test negative results with you for entry to SA. Regardless of getting the vaccine shots.
I'm getting my second Moderna shot on Thursday, getting my PCR swab on Saturday morning and beginning my trip to SA on Sunday. My PH told me my PCR test needs to be within a 72 hour window of my arrival to SA. I questioned this but have decided to err on the side of caution. Lab is guaranteeing results in 30 minutes.

 

[MWK]

You have to have the RT-PCR Swab test negative results with you for entry to SA. Regardless of getting the vaccine shots.
I'm getting my second Moderna shot on Thursday, getting my PCR swab on Saturday morning and beginning my trip to SA on Sunday. My PH told me my PCR test needs to be within a 72 hour window of my arrival to SA. I questioned this but have decided to err on the side of caution. Lab is guaranteeing results in 30 minutes.

Thank you for input Trogon. It looks like this is your first time to SA. You will have a great time there.

 

[Serbian Hunter]

Serbia imported first quantities of vaccine at late Dec 20. In next two months we had possibility to chose one of 4 available vaccines made in US, EU, China and Russia. We even had enough shots for everybody who applied online, no matter which country he is coming from at no charge. I end up with Chinese since it was made in old fashion way (whole dead virus) just like all vaccines I received in last half a century. For both vaccines I waited in line not more than 5-10 minutes, zero reaction.

 

[MS 9x56]

Got my second dose of Moderna yesterday at noon. By 6 pm I had a102 fever, chills, body aches severe headache. Was in bed by 7 and slept 11 hours. Still feel like crap this morning.

 

[BnC 04]

And BnC makin’ copiesss....

Dead on the money Phil! Back when SNL was actually entertaining.

 

[Brent in Az]

Got my second dose of Moderna yesterday at noon. By 6 pm I had a102 fever, chills, body aches severe headache. Was in bed by 7 and slept 11 hours. Still feel like crap this morning.

Ouch!

 

[JimP]

I know that after I got my second dose of Moderna that when I got home I took a couple of Tyronol and then 2 more before I went to bed. I checked my temperature as I sat and watched TV and it was in the normal range for both days. But as I mentioned earlier, I had chills for two nights and felt a little bit tired the second day but not so tired that i couldn't do what I wanted to do.

 

[ActionBob]

Glad to hear you got vaccinated! I know I for sure would like to be able to get back to Africa this year for some safari action!

I thought I would add for some clarity purposes- since I happen to be an otolaryngic (ENT) surgeon and allergist- The many people that are experiencing constitutional symptoms after their second dose of the vaccine is completely normal. It appears that yet again some of the news media is freaking everybody out. Developing a fever, bodyaches, fatigue, headaches and chills after receiving the second dose is normal because your body is ramped up with the new antibodies that have been generated from the previous first dose. This is a typical immune response that should be expected. However – everyone is different and some have no symptoms after the second dose like myself while others are quite sick for a few days.

I know that I just want to be waking up to some African sunrises and drinking sundowners at the sunsets later in the year. Because friends- this virus is never going away. It will be endemic. So it is something we are going to have to learn to live with now until the end of time. There are News articles that are actually That are being released discussing this situation. At some point – life is going to have to go on. The human species is not meant to be locked up like this and not exposed to the mini other bacteria viruses and parasites because of all of this social distancing and mask wearing, etc. there are also discussions about the next flu epidemic been horrific because of the complete lack of influenza this year because of the above measures. It could end up being some type of superbug. And this is all because of the health measures taken this past year for which no one has really been exposed to influenza and thus there is no real built up innate immunity. But I better not get started on that whole topic....

I do hope as many as possible are able to hunt internationally this year because The outfitters as well as the animal some selves sure do need us! And for those that are just going to continue to delay and delay their once in a lifetime safaris – well I hate to be the bearer of bad news – but I really do fear that it’s just “kicking the can down the road” and you’re gonna have to deal with the same problems and headaches of travel then as you would now. But I still do recommend that you get the vaccine first.

Thank you for the professional insight. Can you tell me how long should we expect coverage from a vaccine?

 

[whitetail]

Thank you for the professional insight. Can you tell me how long should we expect coverage from a vaccine?

No problem- glad you appreciate my insight. I must admit- I haven’t “studied” this much in the past 1 1/2 years since medical school 20 years ago!

As far as length of immunity from COVID-19 thru vaccination, the current literature is “at least 6 months” with the 2 mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfeizer). I suspect that actual immunity to the original/wild type virus will likely be greater than 1 year- however, the mutations will likely mean booster shots just like your annual flu shot you receive each year (at least that is the conclusion I’ve been thinking for several months now).

What is not being discussed in the Fake News near enough is our T cell driven immunity. Our T cells (Th1, Th2 and memory T cells) are our immune system recognizing mechanism that direct our B cells to pump out specific antibodies to the virus upon reinfection and recognition of the virus. The T cells are what allows our immune systems to create “innate” immunity from all sorts of pathogens (bacteria, viruses and parasites). They create lasting immunity over time. All the media hype is about the B cells and antibodies for COVID-19 leaving out the most important cells- the T cells. All of the fearmongering created by the media and not discussing the full story about actual science to meet their narrative is absolutely horrific- but I digress...

My stance that I tell my patients is get vaccinated (or don’t- at this point here in the USA it is your personal choice)- but whichever choice you make— get on with LIVING as this virus isn’t going away anytime soon. As my previous post stated- this virus will certainly become endemic and will eventually be just like all the other viruses in the coronavirus family which cause the common cold. I can’t even begin to tell you how many people and patients I’ve come across who are fully vaccinated and continue to not go about living life- it is soooo depressing and horrible to see this... and much of that is based upon individuals political beliefs.

Hope this helps and I’d be happy to share other insights on this forum if asked because I’m more than willing to provide accurate insight on this situation as it continues to evolve.

Cheers and continue to hope folks on AH make it on safari this year because we only have one life to live and in the grand scheme of things, a short one at that.

I’ll end this post with wisdom/thought that my grandpa used to say to me when I was very young (which I’m sure many of you have heard before): “You need to either get busy living or get busy dying- and you need to make that choice quickly because we’re not on this great wondrous planet for very long”.

 

[baxterb]

Just hearing they are stopping the J&J vaccine due to blood clot issues. Have also been hearing anecdotal stories of women having double periods, or post-menopausal women beginning spotting again. Odd stuff.