My Personal Vaccine Experience (good)
I was asked by a few readers to post on what my personal experience was in getting the Covid vaccine. From the very start of the public availability of the vaccines, December 13, 2020, I watched closely on how it was going. When I saw the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was coming, 1 dose rather than 2 and knowing I already have a pretty strong immune system; I waited for the J&J to be available here in Hawaii and in my age group (over 65). As soon as it was, I went online to https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine clicked on Hawaii, and followed the links to the CVS/Longs that was easiest to get to for me. They had plenty of good times available and I filled out the easy form online and made my appointment reservation for this past Thursday at 1pm in Kona.
I immediately received a text and email confirming my appointment with details and directions on how to get there along with what I need to bring; Personal ID and insurance card. I received a reminder a few days later and another 1 hour 30 minutes before my appointment. I got the Longs about 15 minutes before my appointment, checked in, and was told nicely they would be with me at 1pm, and to have a seat. At 1pm, the phaarmacist came out from the back and told me I would be next after this 1 other man. Within 5 minutes, it was my turn. She asked me a few questions to be sure I was me and asked if my left arm was OK for the shot. The vaccine was administered and I said “I feel that.” She replied that the J&J vaccine is thicker than the other 2 and you will feel it going in. As I said, I surely did. It didn’t hurt, but I felt it. She told me to wait 15 minutes to be sure of no bad reactions. I left after 15 minutes of feeling fine.
I drove to Costco, bought some stuff, and waited in longer lines than I see at Christmas time. Anyway, drove back home to Hawi. When I arrived home, my wife, who already had her 2 Pfeizer shots, told me to take a Tylenol and massage my arm. I took the Tylenol but no massage. I actually felt perfectly fine, not even feeling where the actual shot was given. I played some ping pong that evening and went to bed. In the morning, I still felt fine; no headaches, no fever, but a small amount of stiffness at the shot location. I did my normal stuff for a Friday morning, including exercise and was fine. As the day went on, I could feel slight stiffness in my back and neck muscles as well as at the shot location. I went to sleep last night and woke up this morning, as usual. Right now I still can feel the area where the shot was given as a bit stiff and if I push there I can feel slight pain. My body aches are basically gone except for the normal old age ones, hahaha.
Unless something new happens, I would say this was a very painless good experience. I am VERY happy I went with the 1 dose J&J rather than the others. I hope everyone reading this has experiences as good as mine or even better.
