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I realize not everyone is able to get the vaccine yet and some are still worried about getting it, so I wanted to share my own experience. Thanks to working in a preschool, I was able to get my first COVID vaccine through my work last week! We were sent to UAB and I got the first round of the Pfizer vaccine. The shot did not hurt at all and I was able to choose which arm it was given in. I chose my left arm since I am right handed. I later heard it might be better to actually choose the arm you use more to prevent soreness, but it was too late. I also remembered after choosing this arm that anytime I do anything on the left side of my body, it seems to affect the pinched nerve I have in my left shoulder. I also read that if you have had COVID you are more likely to have side effects from the vaccine. You cannot even get the vaccine yet if you have tested positive in the last 90 days. I had COVID last July.

My arm started to get a little sore a few hours after I got it, right before I went to bed. They told you to try to wait at least 4 to 6 hours to take Tylenol if you could. My arm was still a little sore the next morning so I did take some Tylenol and went to work. As the day progressed my head and other parts of my body began to hurt. I eventually felt like I had fever and chills. I was able to work all day, but by the time I got home, I felt so bad that I took more pain reliever, put a couple ice packs on me and then went to sleep. I almost felt like I had COVID again for a few hours, but I woke up three hours later feeling a lot better. I ate some dinner, took some more pain reliever and went back to bed. I woke up the next morning feeling completely normal again, minus my arm being a little sore still and went to work. It remained a little sore for about two more days, but not enough to bother me much.

Some others I know, even those who had the same vaccine, had either no side effects, the same as me or not as bad as me. I do not know of anyone personally who had any worse than I did. Some were older than me, some were younger, some were heavier than me, some were not, some were healthier and some were not. It seems to affect everyone as differently as the actual virus has. Everyone I have known personally who did have bad side effects with one of the two shots, did not with the other shot. I am hoping that is the case with me of course. I have not noticed any signs yet that I have been chipped by the government, but if I have I guess it will join the other chips from previous flu shots and every other vaccine I have had, and it will join that chip always tracking me on my phone I guess. At least now if I am even thinking about Lay’s chips, an ad pops up for me in case I want to buy some that instant.

In all seriousness though, I do not regret getting the shot. Even if my reaction had been even worse, or is the second time, I know there is a risk ,and I still feel that the risk outweighs the risk of not getting it in most cases. As with everything else, you just have to try and make the best decision for you and your family, but the general population was also factored into my decision because I am I ready for this to end soon for all of us. I go back for my second shot on March 31st and I think I will ask for this one in the right arm. Turns out you have a choice both times and are not even required to switch arms, but I think I would like to and I will let you know how the next one goes in another blog to follow….

I Got the Second and Final Round of My Covid-19 vaccine! – Just Buy Her A Dress and She’ll Be Fine

Have you had your vaccine yet? What was your experience like?

Bio: Amanda Dodson Gremillion published her first book in 2012. She began revising it in 2019 and republished it as Just Buy Her A Dress and She’ll Be Fine. The story chronicles her experience with severe postpartum OCD, anxiety and depression. Amanda is a graduate of Auburn University, and now lives in Calera, Alabama, with her husband, Jay, their daughter, Aubrie, and their two dogs, Honey Girl and Cooper. She hopes to write more books in the future. Follow Amanda’s journey on Facebook,  or twitter at https://twitter.com/AmandaGremilli2 and order her book here.  Also, follow her on the Mighty here Amanda Dodson Gremillion | The Mighty Contributor or listen to her podcast here Just Buy Her A Dress and She’ll Be Fine • A podcast on Anchor . You can also find her on Instagram here Amanda Dodson Gremillion (@justbuyheradress) • Instagram photos and videos.