Hi everyone!
So we're at a point where vaccinations are finally at full swing. This post is not a debate about the lockdown and whether or not vaccinations are right or wrong. It is also not a debate of whether or not Pfizer or Astra Zeneca is better. I booked myself for a vaccine by my own choice and I hope everyone can respect each other's choice, regardless of your own personal choices.
I originally didn't want to be vaccinated, as you all know these vaccines are relatively new and it is still very unclear of the full effects on health and whether or not it really does make a difference at all. After the Delta variant was announced, I did have second thoughts, and that's when I booked in my vaccination... and this was back in June.
As you are all probably aware, anyone under the age of 40 was pretty much ineligible to get a Pfizer vaccine, although this is the recommended vaccine for this age group. Again, no debates about Astra Zeneca or which is better - I think everyone should be eligible to get the vaccine of their choice, or the recommended vaccine.
Anyway, I think over 16/18?s - 59 are all now eligible for Pfizer, and my appointment booked for early September meant that I didn't need to change my booking as I was automatically eligible to get my vaccine (finally!). It's been about a week now since I received my first dose.
I received my vaccination at Sydney Olympic Park - and there were SO many people. A bit too many and this was quite early in the morning, at around 8:30am. My appointment was actually later in the morning, but I went early to see if I could get my shot early, as I was given advice that waiting in the afternoon would take a very long time.
It was quite an overwhelming experience - you just had to keep moving, as they didn't want anyone to stop and linger, and I wasn't sure who to speak to because there were just so many staff lining the path. First you are given a hospital grade mask to wear and some sanitiser. Someone will then check you actually have a booking on the day. When you make your way up, someone will scan in your booking QR code, and print a ticket from a ticket booth. From there you enter the - well what I would describe as the main hall - where you are directed to a number, where a nurse is seated.
The nurse asked for some ID and medicare (if you have it), and will ask you some questions to complete a consent form - a needle appears magically, delivered by a staff member - and the nurse then administered the shot. You're told to sit in a waiting area named "Observation" for 15 minutes, where another member of staff will check up on you on the 15 minute mark, and then you are free to go.
All up, I probably spent no more than 25 minutes, including the observation time. I wasn't quite sure why there were people waiting for their shots (there was a small seated waiting area), as I received mine as soon as I set foot into the main hall.
I am a 33 year old female with no underlying medical conditions.
As soon as I sat down in the Observation area, the first thing I noticed was that the arm I received the shot was already a bit sore, and I was numb to my fingers on that side. Wiggling my fingers was pretty much all I did for the 15 minutes I was there.
I was also pretty excited as I left, so I walked pretty fast back to the car, and by then I felt quite flushed and a bit dizzy. At times, even a bit nauseous. This is probably due to it being so early in the morning (I do suggest you get a good breakfast), and try not to move too quickly after getting the shot. I won't rule out the possibility it could have been the vaccine. Other than that, I was just sleepy and had a bit of a sore arm (which was gone by day 3). The sore arm was the worst on the actual vaccination day (made it hard to lift the arm/ shoulder), but it felt sore but normal the next day. I did sleep/ nap for about 2-3 days after the dose... but other than that, I didn't seem to have anything happen to me.
I have less than 2 weeks until I get my second dose, which I am happy and looking forward to receiving. I'll probably head off early like I did the first time, but I'll have a bigger breakfast. There are a lot of things I want to do getting out of lockdown, so I hope that everyone can continue to stay safe and be well.
Yours,
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