Yup, here I am. Still alive and kicking. I wrote a part 1 so I kinda forced myself into writing a part 2. But I’ll keep this short because everything was more or less the same after my first shot.
I was trying to decide when to take my second dose and the answers aren’t always that clear. It’s still a relative new virus ( or is it? I’ll leave the conspiracy theories for you) and there are always new articles popping out. That’s when I always try to find the most recent studies in my Google results. Some say you can get it after 8 weeks, some say it offers the best protection after 12 weeks. You’ll also read about the efficacy varying between the weeks and then you’ll read it the difference is negligible (whooo had a hard time writing that word). I wanted to be fully vaccinated as soon as possible but also wanted the best protection, so I just took the middle and went with 10 weeks. But I also consulted with a doctor first, this so don’t go thinking I’m just doing thing on my own based on my own research. Doctors are still the experts in their fields and I’m still an expert in mine which is writing things at most 10 people will read. (yeah …I know…very popular).
Side effects second dose
Again this is based on my own experience so yours might differ. I still consider myself lucky that the only thing I experienced was a sore spot on my arm where I got vaccinated. I still can feel it after day 4, but I believe the first time it hurt more. The first time I said I had a light headache and this time I had one too. But when you’re close to 40…or late 30’s… take your pick…. you have a headache and joint pains every day. When I was teenager I took busses in the scorching sun, played videogames for hours, hung out with friend and nothing. Now whenever I go to the store to pick up some groceries I come home with headache because I forgot to wear a cap. So yeah..the light headache may be a side effect of the vaccine, or it may be a side effect of my old ass.
Last words
Right now I think there’s an abundance of information out there so you can safely decide what’s good or bad for you. Granted there’s also false information out there and ultimately your surroundings will play a bigger role in your decision. So what kind of answer do I have for some of the recurring questions I hear?
Do you know what you’re putting in your body?
Do you know the all 11 herbs and spices in your KFC? No, but that doesn’t stop you from eating it….( the prices will).
Aren’t you worried about the long time side effects?
So far I haven’t come across anything that affects me nor have read anything that would for example give me webbed feet or something (which I think would make me a better swimmer by the way). And if I can keep myself and other people I care about safe right now, then this is a risk I’m willing to take for a side effect that has yet to be discovered.
Why would you put something that’s still in the experimental phase?
Well as of august 21st The Pfizer vaccine has gotten FDA approval which means the other vaccines are sure to follow. So the emergency release status will be a thing of the past soon.
Doesn’t the approval seemed rushed?
It does, but wouldn’t you be glad to see people putting more time and resources in something that will benefit us in stead funding something else like war? Call me an optimist or a delusional for saying this, are you still telling me that people wouldn’t do their utmost best to release something that should be safe for use by billions? That people just want to do a population control or something? Hey if it was Thanos that made the vaccine then I would have my reservations too. ( Or maybe Thanos made the virus and if you want to be an Avenger so take the vaccine).
If it was the other way around and people said a vaccine will only available in 10 years and approval for use another 10 years, guaranteed you would have people screaming “why can’t it be released earlier, there’s already so much research in existing strains, you’re scientists made this….”. And now we have working vaccines in record time, isn’t this something to be celebrated? People keep breaking records in the Olympics and that’s a good sign that we as people are getting better right? You just can’t please everyone and you can’t change everyone’s mind.
On the plus side I’m glad to see the vaccination numbers are going up, not as fast as I’d hope given we’re still living in a small country. But the infections are going up too and it seems people are only getting vaccinated when their direct contacts/families have contracted the virus and haven’t had a positive outcome. From my experience (and it doesn’t have to be this way for others) the people who refrain from getting vaccinated make it sound selfish e.g. and only seem to focus on themselves whereas other that want to get vaccinated think about doing it for themselves and for others. I’m willing to listen to you when you use less “I’s” and “me’s” when making your point for not taking it.
At the end of the day it will be your decision and we all should respect each others. I’m not forcing anyone either and I will also make a decision to distance myself from people out of my own and yes, even your safety. So if you won’t take the vaccine, at least take other precautions like keeping your distance, washing your hands and wearing a mask. Because it’s better than the alternative…you know….death.
Hmmm…this turned out longer than I thought…..That’s what she said
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