My experiences getting the Covid-19 vaccine

Phoebe Simcock, 20th Aug 2021
Tags: Life Blog Health and Fitness

We’ve done numerous things to help to reduce the spread of Covid-19 such as staying in and going out. Now the government are asking us to take one more step and get the vaccine.

I’m sure you’ve already heard, but anyone 16 and over can now get the Coronavirus vaccine, and you need two separate jabs for it to be the most effective.

I shall give you the details of my experience.

I had my first jab in June, and for me it was a no-brainer. I’d read up on the research and I would never want my actions to affect others, so I booked mine as soon as possible. I shall give you the details of my experience in the hope that it may help at least one person feel more confident about it.  

I won’t pretend, on the journey to the vaccination centre I had google maps in my hand and a lump in my throat. I knew people that had already had the vaccine, but little anxiety fuelling things had been missed out of their description of the day. Would I be split up from who I had come with? Would they tell us where to go? What happens if I feel ill? All these things made me feel more nervous than the jab itself, because it was the unknown.

I tend to feel more comfortable in any situation when I can be prepared for everything, so I’m writing this as a guide for anyone who feels the same.

We arrived one minute late but luckily this was no issue at all.

Due to a google map debacle, we arrived one minute late but luckily this was no issue at all. We were checked in whilst in the car and told where to park, and assigned a number so we knew which line to join. The lines were long, and this calmed my ‘one minute late’ worries.

I was allowed to stay with my group, and someone else took my name and asked if it was my first or second vaccine, if you’re preparing for your second, don’t forget the card you were issued with at your first jab.

At the front of the queue, I was sent to someone else to discuss which jab would be suitable. The final queue came and I was pointed towards different booths and a lovely relaxed woman prepared my jab. She asked me to make my arm as floppy as possible, then one small scratch came and it was done.

I barely felt anything at all, just a sense of accomplishment.

After your jab, you’re asked to sit in the waiting room for 15 minutes to check if you’re okay. I didn’t see anyone react badly or show any signs of illness. After my 15 minutes, I felt no more ill than I did when I first left the car, and I did breathe a sigh of relief on the way home. I shared my picture of my sticker on my socials and keep it with pride.  

The next day we struggled with an achy arm.

Later that day and the next day we struggled with an achy arm, but it felt like a small price to pay to know that we have done our bit to help stop coronavirus and the damage it can do.

I know I will feel a lot more comfortable when I have my next jab, and I have urged anyone who is unsure to consider why they wouldn’t want it and to do proper research into what they’ve read before making their final decision. These decisions don’t just affect our lives, they affect others too so decide wisely. 

Stay safe and remember to breathe!