Members Covid Vaccination Experiences

I just wanted to place a thread of members actual experiences of the vaccination .

I dont want it to turn into a political thread as that can be discussed elsewhere.

Likewise I dont want it to turn into a discussion as to whether one has eh vaccine or not. This really is up to everyone to assess their own individual situation and perhaps their own risk assessment .

My own experience is as follows and for background I'm from the UK a very fit 58 year old and have bounced Covid off at least twice possible 3 times in total . Each time getting milder . All my family have had Covid .some like me multiple times and all recovered .

I got my letter inviting me to book a vaccination it was dated 1st March .

It requested me to book via an Online booking service . This I tried and it tried to get to me to a centre some 16 miles away which to me is questionable as we have on vaccination centre in my home town which is a mere 20mins walk away .

So at this point I decided not to book and left it . A few days later I was contacted by my own GP surgery via the phone and they invited me to attend the local vaccination centre as mention earlier 0n 17th March .

I can give a couple of tips here

1) if you have a phobia of needles or even a dislike of needles speak up when you see the nurse

2) Dont go multi layered if you can help it and wear a short sleeved top . I wore a warm fur lined leather bomber jacket over a tee shirt. It saves a lot of faff and having to perform a partial strip in a perhaps not so very private place. Many of the centres in the UK are school halls,sports hall and places of worship and dont have private cubicles .

I arrived at the centre in due time and joined a short queue of 7 people . This was reduved to 6when one person bottle out at the last minute .



I was asked by a NHS admin person confirming my name.date of birth and time . I was then ticked off.

Another NHS person then followed ,still outside and tested my temperature and asked if I had any Covid symptoms in the last 28 days symptoms .

I was then invited into the building itself and was immediately requested to sanitise my hands .

Then I was again ticked off by a NHS Admin person behind a desk .

I was then guided down a twisted corridor by various NHs and Army Medical Corps staff until I reached a roof which contained 4 chairs just about social distanced from each other . 2 of these chairs were occupied by a guy wearing a T and a lady who had to remove about 5 layers .

I was greeted by An Army Medical Corps Major called Jenny and her assistant Keiron .

I was invited to sit down in a sterilised chai once i had slipped my jacket off .

At this point ,I was asked whether I was right handed or left . In my case as I am ambidextrous they gave me the choice. The arm that receives the injection can become sore in certain circumstances this is why the question is asked .

Jenny went through all the facts and I told her of my phobia of needles . She advised dont worry and kept me talking . She advised me as i have had Covid I would get some symptoms of aching limbs,possible headache and possible temperature . Before I knew it I just felt a little prick in my arm and before I knew it Keiran had injected me whilst Jenny kept me occupied .

In order not to freak some people out the army staff were not wearing army fatigues but a undress base and mess uniform .

That was it all over and i slipped my jacket on and thanked them for their slick operation and i was again guided down another corridor to another NHS admin point where upon I was given a product information leaflet and the all important vaccination card .

I was told I will get another call in about 10 weeks time and advised to take 2 paretamol when i got home and 2 before I go to bed

 

From above . When I got home id did start feeling a little weird.

Its very similar to the last 2 times I got Covid. I went into a gaze ,had a temperature of 37.7 and aching limbs .

It lasted for about 4 hours in the evening .

I believe going off what Major Jenny informed me is that I would likely have already a substantial antibody count and they would be stimulated by the vaccine thinking it was a virus invading my body again . I didnt panic as I have had this affect now 3 times over . It then subsided and for some reason it gave me a huge energy boost after . I was active until 2,.00am that evening .

The following morning I woke and was fine and dandy to take on the day . I have to date no further reactions .

 

thats cool

 

Got my 1st shot through a connection. Wasn't bad. In and out. Only had soreness and fatigue. That was it. I get my 2nd shot this Friday coming up.

 

This 60 year (UK citizen) old's experience:-
Got a letter - Booked both appointments (first jab within 14 days, (Yesterday) - 2nd jab = 11/06)
Despite there being a centre 1/4 mile away, I was given a three other choices (2 - 2 and half miles away so no big deal, because I have a car)

• Arrived - confirmed name,address and booking number
• Queued up and saw Nurse within 5 minutes.
• Confirmed name and adddress, asked a couple of questions (symtoms, contacts - nothing major) and which arm preferrable for injection - (chose left)
• Lifted T-shirt sleeve up (you make a good point about 'layers'.)
• Needled (didn't look)
• Got my Covid Card (Asta Zeneca)
• Asked if I drove - if so 'advised' to take a seat for 10 mins
• I enquired about volunteering to aid/assist process (as there was a sign requesting such) - they noted my details
• And Left

- All in all the process took about 25 minutes.
Epilogue:
Bit of a headache and feeking tired - but I think that may had something to do with may pottering around after the jab ... and I am getting old ...er
For me, whilst I did not seek to chase up the vaccination (there being more deserving causes) once I got the notification, I complied and feel okay - However, I am mindful that others may have concerns, so well done for posting this.
The process is quite straight forward - and easier getting it over with - IMO

 

Haven't been vaccinated, but today had an interesting experience with a home testing kit.

 

Don't get Sick! Get a Prick!

 

Had my first shot of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against the Coronavirus over two weeks ago and I’m scheduled for the second dose next week.

Some swelling at the site of the injection and overall discomfort lasting upwards of 8 hours