I took a leap of faith and got my first shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shot on Tuesday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall since I got the email from the Department of Health saying it was time for essential workers to get vaccinated.
I have been like many journalists or reporters on the front lines covering the latest news and serving our community with time-sensitive information while meeting different folks from different backgrounds since the start of the pandemic. I too, like many essential workers was concerned about my safety.
However, it wasn’t an easy decision for me to make because I was part of that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that said 60% of Americans have an underlying health condition and I wasn’t too sure if I’d be okay after taking the vaccine.
The first vaccine shot was better than I expected. Last year, when I took the flu shot, I had a sore left arm but not this time. Because I have food allergies, they had me stay in the auditorium for 30 minutes.
I sat down and made my second vaccine appointment for a month from yesterday. The first symptom I felt after ten minutes was fatigue, and I could feel my heart palpitations more clearly. There was a doctor on-site, and I found out I should have eaten before I got there and my anxieties could have kicked in, so the doctor made me do a breathing exercise. Other than that, I was fine.
After my 30 minutes were done, I went to get breakfast before heading to work to write about my experience.
So now I know, eat before taking my next shot. And the doctor said if I had COVID-19 in the past, this first shot would feel like the second shot that folks been reporting, with stronger symptoms of fatigue, sore arm, and feeling like a truck hit you hard.
I started the DOH survey process a month ago, and your employer can do the same for you. DOH lets you know if you and your employer are next in line or not. I went to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PGK7MBD and filled out the survey found on https://tgilinks.com/3cCnfM4.
After receiving an email from DOH, (always check your email) I followed the instructions and made my first vaccine scheduled appointment at Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) http://tgilinks.com/3ln8Cjs.
I also took a survey at VAMS and printed the DOH survey that was attached to my DOH email. I filled it out and brought it with me to my vaccine appointment. I made sure to bring my ID and got there early. There was a line
I have to fill out the survey at VAMS again on the morning of my second appointment on April 13 and fill out the state DOH questionnaire as it is necessary to bring with me an Identification (ID) card like a driver’s license.
Of course, I spoke with my doctor to see if it was okay to get vaccinated. And when I got the okay, it helped me make this tough decision.
But I wanted to protect my ‘ohana, so I’m glad I got the first vaccine so far. Until my second vaccine, I will stay grateful.
•••
Stephanie Shinno, education, business, and community reporter can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
