No, that’s not the name of an all-night convenience store in the bad part of town. It was just our experience getting our second round of Moderna Covid-19 vaccinations yesterday afternoon.
Okay, I made up the stabbing part. It was more of a jab. Okay, I made that up, too. The reality is that with both the first shot four weeks ago and the second shot yesterday, I never felt the needle. The lady giving us our shots both times was very good at what she did.
And just like our first experience, it was a quick in and out process. We arrived at the Volusia County Fairgrounds at three minutes before our time slot of 3 – 4 PM and stopped to be directed which line to go to. They had three different vaccination events going on at once, people who were coming in by appointment for their first shots, people whose appointments had been rescheduled because of earlier shortages, and folks like us who were getting our second round.
We followed the car in front of us, filled out some paperwork and signed consent forms at the next checkpoint, followed the same car a little further, and stopped again to make sure that our shot records were up-to-date from the first vaccinations. Then we pulled up to one of the tents where they were administering the shots. A very nice young lady checked our paperwork one last time, then gave us our shots. Like last time, we never had to get out of the Pacifica.
After you get the shot, they want you to wait for 15 minutes before you leave, just in case there are any side effects. We were directed where to park, waited the required time, and left. All in all, the whole process took 42 minutes from the time we pulled into the fairgrounds until the time we pulled out, which is about the same amount of time it took the first time around.
I know getting an appointment has been very difficult for some people, and we feel very fortunate to have been able to book them on our first attempt, and we are impressed with the way the people at the fairgrounds handle things. Everyone was very friendly and easygoing.
As for side effects, there was nothing with the first shots, and this time we both have a very slight discomfort around the inoculation site, but nothing to complain about. We have been told that sometime today, we might start to feel some other effects with the second round, and if that happens we are prepared for it.
When I said in yesterday’s blog that we had pain medicines if needed, several people wrote to tell me that the CDC is telling people not to take any type of pain relievers for the first few hours after their shots. The people at the fairgrounds also said if we did need something, to take Tylenol (acetaminophen). But we have not needed anything so far, so here’s hoping it stays that way.
Today is going to be a spectacular day, about 75° and lots of sunshine. In other words, a great day to get out of the house and out on the water. But that all depends on how we both feel.
And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.
Thought For The Day – There is no problem a total lack of response will not eventually resolve.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Good deal – It’s great you both have completed the vaccine process.
My wife and I also received our second shots yesterday. its been a tad over 24 hours and the only side effect is some slight discomfort at the inoculation site when we raise our arms above our shoulders.
Now we can go Rave & howl at the moon all night just like we did in the 60’s?