June 14 2021: ANTICIPATION….

I’m at the @GoAHealth immunization clinic at 12:35, for a 13:10 appointment. Parking lot full. Queue around the building. I join the queue, take the fresh medical mask & wait. “We are serving 12:40 appointments” says the announcer. I wait. At 13:10, she invites 12:50 people. 

The queue is calm, orderly. But it’s hot & there’s not much shade. People all around the parking lot, in shade puddles, waiting for their time’s announcement. @ 13:17, she invites 13:00 (1pm) appointments. 

The queue takes approx 20 mins to move around the building. Once in the queue, some people are facing the dilemma: wait & hope the new time is announced before reaching the door? Or get into the shade?
I feel like we’ve already had the dress rehearsal for this with Dose 1. 

I’m back in my car, waiting. I’m wondering who scheduled these appointments?
It is 13:28: still serving 13:00 appointments.

Wondering: should I rejoin the queue? 

13:29: “We are serving 13:10“.

I’m back in the queue, which now is only 2 sides of the building long.

Anticipation mounting!

13:41 and I’m in the door!

It’s air-conditioned inside, which is lovely. After a shot of sanitizer gel, I’m back in another queue. I’m having airport flashbacks!

13:48
Checked-in! Easier than a flight, by far. I just had to confirm health card number, type of vaccine for Dose 2, address, birth date, and then it’s a third queue.

The queue divides (unzips?) for Moderna & Pfizer. I get to watch a vaccinator on casters and a helper speak to someone with their arm ready.

Patient confidentiality preserved by this photographer (not by clinic set-up)…

14:04.
VACCINATED!!
The RN of AHS refused to allow me to photograph the shot going in. Not even with her out of the shot. She wouldn’t even hold the empty syringe against my arm for a posed / faked shot. See that red spot on my freckled arm? That’s my injection site. Her technique was impeccable.

I have to wait 15 mins.
Using the time to enroll in the Covid19 Vaccine Safety Survey. It’s this, or stare at all the other post-jab people sitting in lonely cubicles.

Actually, I’m not eligible to participate. The criteria is: enrol within 8 days of Dose 1. Not accepting study participants at Dose 2.

When I had my 1st jab (at a pharmacy), I was not invited to enroll. This is unfortunate. I wonder whether it’s just mine, or all the pharmacies were not participating as recruiting sites?

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14:27 Released!
Now, to see whether I’ll be one of those who experience Covid19-symptoms as my immune responders spot the novel corona virus spike protein….

June 15, 07:00
Good morning Day 1 of Dose 2 vaxed!

So far, just a very sore arm. Feels like I was punched (and, for the record, Marissa-the-Vaccinator’s technique was impeccable). 

June 15, afternoon:
Starting to feel ache-y, fuzzy brain. Is it end of a long day or am I feeling my immune response kicking in? 

Summary: Monday, PM: very sleepy about one pm, post-jab. Tuesday AM, arm felt punched, some swelling at injection. 15 hrs later: achy, skin felt tight, couldn’t focus on screens; 20 hrs= chilled, wrapped up in blankets. Wed AM= fuzzy; Wed afternoon, ok, but short of breath on easy exercise. Wed evening: AOK!!


June 28th: My #OptimismDay! Two weeks post dose 2. I’m as vaccinated as I can be.

This does not mean I will stop protecting myself & others. We have the DeltaVariant in Alberta. Fewer than 37% are fully vaccinated, as yet. Only 71% of Albertans have had dose one. So: I’ll still #mask indoors & in public where I can’t physically distance. And I’ll continue to hand-wash, while reciting the Star Trek intro.

 #FullyVaccinated