I couldn’t believe it when an email landed in my Nova Scotia Health inbox saying that I could book my first COVID vaccine. Like, I really couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think I’d land on the vaccine list until much later this summer for two reasons:
- I’m not in the vulnerable age population.
- I recently changed roles in NS Health and don’t have a position(right now) in inpatient care.
But, I am a Nova Scotia Health employee and I will be going back to a position next year that requires patient care. So, I clicked the link and there it was, an online booking for my COVID vaccine! There were clinics being offered right in Yarmouth Regional Hospital and it didn’t get much more convenient then that. So I booked my appointment for April 6th at 3:50pm.
I had the Easter long weekend to think about what it would mean to be vaccinated and how I felt about it. It was a range of emotions; happiness – this was a step towards the end of the pandemic, nerves – the vaccine is so new, what if it doesn’t work or has terrible side effects?, and ultimately relief – that science had prevailed and we were on our way towards normalcy again.
I arrived at 3:45 and waited, socially-distanced, behind other health care workers for my turn. You could almost feel the buzz in line, so many people who worked directly or indirectly with patients were finally getting their chance. I checked in with Public Health staff who did a Covid screen with me and made sure my file was correct and then – I was in line to be poked.
I have to say, it was the best “shot” I’ve ever received. I received the Pfizer vaccine but truthfully I would have taken any one that I qualified for. It was quick, painless and over in a second! I was ushered in to a waiting room so a nurse could watch for side effects for 15 minutes post vaccine. Here I sat and took it all in. I sat in a room with everyone from physicians, nurses, clerical staff, housekeeping and more. Everyone in that room had worked inside the walls of Yarmouth Regional for the year of Covid. We had been called healthcare hero’s as we showed up day after day not knowing what would happen. We dealt with policy change after policy change. And as I sat surrounded by these colleagues, I felt very proud to be amongst them.
Everyone’s experience with a vaccine will be different and if you choose to not get vaccinated I respect your decision 100%. We all choose to do what is best for us.
If you’re curious, I broke down how I felt afterwards:
April 6: 3:50PM: Vaccine Administered – No pain with needle. Relief that I qualified to get my vaccine as part of Nova Scotia Health.
April 6: 8:05PM: Start to notice left arm is a bit sore in area around vaccine site. No different then flu-shot soreness.
Apr 7: 1:30AM: Woke up to roll over and unable to do so. Left arm is too sore to lay on in bed. Went back to sleep on right side.
Apr 7: 5:00AM: Woke up (thanks to my dogs) and had a minor headache with left arm still sore.
Apr 7: 8:00AM: Headache is gone.
Apr 7: 3:30PM: Husband asked me how my arm was and I replied “Why?” – “Oh, the vaccine”. Arm soreness seemed to be gone.
Apr 7: 10:15PM: Went to bed and laid on left side – minor soreness when laying on left arm but able to tolerate.
Apr 8: 5:30AM: No headache. Arm felt normal despite sleeping on it on/off overnight.
Apr 8: 5:30PM: Ran 8km – energy level was fine.
Apr 9: All Day: No thought given to vaccine, arm was fine, no side effects.
Apr 10: No issues thus far. I feel 100%.
I’ve heard that side effects are more evident with the second dose, but I’m booked for dose #2 in July and I say, bring it on! I have no second thoughts about it. Let’s hope this is a good step towards bringing Covid to an end!
– Candice
*The comments, experiences and opinions in this blog are my own and do not reflect Nova Scotia Health or Acadia Broadcasting Ltd.
