I Got the COVID Vaccine – My Experience

After months of waiting my turn to be eligible for the Covid vaccine, I was finally able to get my first dose over the weekend. Up until now, the Jamaican government was focusing on specific priority groups, and though some people were able to still be vaccinated even if they weren’t among those prioritised (like Hubby), most of us had to wait.

Whether or not I got the covid vaccine was never a question, I was just waiting my turn . To be honest, I seriously considered gravelly to secure it, luckily, Jamaica receive 300, 000 doses and the government opened up the initiative to everyone over 18 years old and is conducting a series of vaccination blitz episodes islandwide over several days. I made my appointment and got mine on the first day of the blitz.

I received the Astra Zeneca vaccine at 10:00am on July 31, 2021. This is a log of my experience.

Day One

On-Site

The actual process on site was very smooth. My appointment was for 9-10am (though they didn’t really go by appointments). I was handed a form to fill out, along with a number and seated to wait. They started at around 9:20am.

You May Also Like: My Husband Got the COVID Vaccine

Minutes to 10am, my number was called in a batch and we entered, was seated and informed regarding the vaccine, expected side effects, what sort of medication was appropriate and shortly after received the jab, a signed card and asked to sit for 15 minutes for observation.

10:00

At 10am exactly, I received the jab in my left (non-dominant) arm. We were required to sit for 15 minutes after getting the shot for observation. After about 15 minutes, a dull headache came on, followed by a creeping numbness in the arm.

At that point I decided to take the panadol I’d brought along.

For the next few hours, they was niggling bit of numbness but otherwise, nothing.

17:00

Exhaustion hit and a bit of soreness in the arm. Took another dose of Panadol at about 8:45 and went to bed exhausted.

• 

• 

Day 2 (The Next Day)

1:30

I woke up drenched in sweat.m in the dead of night.My top and the bed were soaked. I discarded it and tried to go back to sleep, but could not because minutes later I had chills.

I had some spasms, was cold and couldn’t get comfortable. The arm was sore but not too bad. Eventually, they exhaustion won out and I fell back to sleep.

5:00

I woke up extremely thirty and padded to the kitchen for water. I took another dose of Panadol since I was feeling like I was hit by a freight train.

All day, I experienced body aches and chills, and a dull headache.

I felt dehydrated and really thirsty. No appetite whatsoever.

I felt a bit warm, but no fever. Most of the pain was lessened by the pills but there nonetheless. Exhaustion continued, taking me in and out of sleep while I spent the day in bed beneath covers.

13:00

I took another dose of Panadol. Hubby made sure I was keeping hydrated with water and Gatorade.

14:00

I noticed a metallic smell/taste. My arm started feeling heavier and numb. Aces and pains persisted.

16:00

Around four, I noticed that the aches and pains were subsiding. The arm still felt heavy and more sore than it had been initially.

18:00

Although the pains weren’t bad, my body was still sore and made sitting and laying down bee uncomfortable, so I took another dose of Panadol.

Day 3

As of the third day, I’m fine, except for the bit of continued soreness at the injection site.

One Down, One to Go

I’ll be getting the next shot in couple of weeks. I’m looking forward to being fully vaccinated soon.

Y’all be safe out there.

UPDATE: I’ve had my second dose. I experienced mild fatigue only.

Did you get your Covid vaccine? What was your experience?

Xo, Shandean.

Find me on:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• YouTube