Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 315 – Vaccination

21 Mar 2021 64 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: , , , , , , ,

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“I’d much rather have a vaccine, than this virus.”

Paul A. Volberding MD (And me!)

Thank, Spidey for this reminder, that we have decisions to make.

I, for one, am pro-vaccine, totally.

We teachers, as a profession, were told, categorically, that, despite being in rooms for lengthy periods with large numbers of people, young or old, were not at any higher risk of catching the virus, than others, so, despite being in school throughout lockdown, still having to be with children, and other adults, the virus still posed a huge risk to us.

Yet there was a fear amongst us all.

It has been evident, since schools returned, that children were not as harmless, virus-wise, as the Government led us to believe. (Did we actually believe them?)

From September to December, in our school, and my children’s secondary school, we had several bubbles closing, some more than once, and it was the children who brought the virus in. Maybe they didn’t suffer, but they were the vectors, and this led to several staff getting quite unwell. Nine, over the Christmas holiday, itself.

Vaccinations started, and we weren’t on any priority list.

Then, out of the blue, our school was given an opportunity.

You see, these vaccinations have a shelf-life, and once defrosted, and punctured, the vials have to be used, or thrown away, and it would be criminal to throw this precious vaccine away, knowing how many people want them, and how we are all clamouring to get back onto the road to normality.

So, early in January, before we had even started back at school, (before BoZo, et al, decided that remote learning would be the thing), two schools were contacted, locally, as there was excess vaccines at the end of a session, and, being the weekend, it was almost impossible to get the vaccination to the elderly, who were on the priority list, so, why not offer to a school, who could gather willing and grateful recipients pretty quickly?

I was one of those lucky folk.

But I didn’t shout it out at the time, because I actually felt guilty. I was getting the first shot even ahead of both sets of my parents, who are in their late 60s and 70s. And there are folk out there, who still don’t think school staff really need this protection.

We all queued up, socially distanced, andwaitied patiently, on a Sunday morning. There was even a reporter from that rag, The Sun, waiting with a cameraman, ready to sully the name of schools who had ‘jumped the queue”.

We didn’t talk to him. He tried. “No comment.” (Always wanted to say that!)

Vaccinated, and with my little card to prove it in my hand, I went home. Still a little nervous, but also nervously excited, too.

That reporter?

Oh, he still managed to contact our head. (The poor woman was up to her eyeballs in government legislation, ready for schools starting again, and had to spend the evening wording a press release as to how and why we were offered the vaccine!)

And yes, we were in The Sun, the next day, but instead of being a derogatory tale of undeserving people blagging a quick jab, they congratulated us on being proactive, and showing our willing to do what we can to keep schools open, and protected, so our children won’t, hopefully, have to suffer much more time away from the school buildings.

How was it?

Well, we were given the Pfizer jab, and the rest of the Sunday was fine. I woke on Monday with a slightly achey arm, and felt very tired. Tuesday, though… I had the tiredness, and the HEADACHE from HELL! I had to medicate with strong over-the-counter pills, three times, and it still didn’t shift. The headache was still there on Wednesday, but just a dull ache.

I was thankful that lockdown had started, then, and that I didn’t have to deal with a classful of children, on top of this awful migraine-like pain.

Why am I writing this today?

Because, I will be getting my second jab, today. Then within a few weeks, apparently, my immunity will be at the highest it can be. Of course, nothing totally rids you of the risk of getting the virus, but if I do, it would hopefully be a milder case than if I hadn’t been vaccinated.

But, I am dreading the initial side effects, because I have read that if you suffered from them the first time, it is possible you will feel the same ones again, and they could be more severe!

And I’ll definitely be in school with the children this time, too!

God help me!

But, at least I’ll have had the vaccination!

So, have you had your vaccination, yet?

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Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps.   

64 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Jennie
    Mar 25, 2021 @ 00:55:29

    Thank goodness that reporter did the right thing. And what a lucky break your school got to get the vaccine. I can understand why you felt guilty, but it would have been so much worse if the vaccine had gone to waste. I finally had my first shot (Moderna) but it was a nightmare to book the appointment. Hubby got Pfizer. We didn’t have a choice. Both of us were tired and had a very sore arm (no headache), and we’re prepared that #2 may have stronger side effects. Isn’t it interesting that the older people don’t experience the side effects as strongly as the younger people?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Pepper
    Mar 22, 2021 @ 19:25:29

    Good luck to you Ritu. I can’t wait for vaccinations to be available to us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. thereluctantpoet
    Mar 22, 2021 @ 16:38:11

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Trackback: Chai And A Chat #127 #ChaiAndAChat | But I Smile Anyway...

  5. elementhealing
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 22:55:16

    I don’t want to start a negative response streamhere so feel free to delete my comment if there is Ritu. I haven’t had the shot and I don’t intend to.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Mar 22, 2021 @ 06:26:26

      It’s not negative. Each to their own.
      May I ask, why don’t you want the shot?
      Some people have very valid personal reasons.
      My colleague does want it, but isn’t confident as she still wants a baby, soon and isn’t sure of the effects on fertility, so is holding off…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • elementhealing
        Mar 22, 2021 @ 16:25:53

        Thank you, I was concerned that there may be rude comments and I didn’t want that on your post.
        I don’t want the shot because I have very little confidence in the allopathic medical system. It’s not about healing anyone. The system is about maintaining ill health. Take a pill to maintain that condition which is absolutely curable! Or cut you open and take something out and if that doesn’t work irradiate you!
        There is not one illness or disease on this planet that is not absolutely curable, but healthy people won’t make doctors and drug companies wealthy.
        Another reason is I have an issue getting beyond questioning the ability of doctors. The vast majority didn’t graduate at the top of their class. Some barely made it through to graduate. For that matter I’ve met some pretty incapable nurses.
        The doctor that treated my Mother for decades is a prime example of incompetence. He fed her pills, told her she was fine and never bothered to tell her she had issues with her kidneys. Had he told her she could have been proactive about her health. Instead he retired and she found out about her condition by overhearing two nurses talking at shift change about her end stage kidney disease. Mom transitioned four months later. She took her pills though!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Mar 22, 2021 @ 17:11:42

        You have had a bad run of it with physicians, it seems!
        I don’t take anything lightly, but I do have some faith in the system, but not the government running the show!

        Liked by 1 person

      • elementhealing
        Mar 22, 2021 @ 19:11:48

        I’ve always been a bit of a skeptic. I don’t take anyone’s word for gospel. Especially from the news agencies. I do my own research and make up my own mind. But when governments and the medical system team up, that for me is a super giant red flag.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        Mar 22, 2021 @ 19:15:11

        It’s like a catch 22!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Leanne
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 22:14:00

    I still can’t get an appointment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. johnrieber
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 20:14:33

    Bravo to all that you and all of the other Educators are doing during this pandemic…you ALL deserve to be vaccinated and to have a safe work place!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. OIKOS™-Editorial
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 18:26:42

    Congratulations, Sis! Getting the vaccine is definitely better, than getting this virus. Here we have to wait, maybe till September. ;-( Our officials had made very sad deals, with the vaccine producers. In short: “The had and they have no plan!” 🙂 Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. syl65
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 17:11:59

    From the people I talked with who’ve had the vaccine shot, the side effects haven’t been to bad only with some where they felt sick for a few days after the second shot. Overall it’s better than getting covid-19 and it’s unpredictable effect on your body.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  10. bookstopen
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 16:48:31

    Hi Ritu – thanks for sharing your vaccine experience. I’m glad you’re feeling better after your headaches. Good luck today!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Rae Longest
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 13:54:25

    As a 76 year old, I have had two shots of Moderna; the second one gave both My Better Half and me a down-in-the-bed four day reaction. It was bad. The worst part was we couldn’t help each other (We have never been both of us down at the same time before.) and there was no one to call to help us out (our family is 1500 miles away). Thank goodness we are coming to the end of the tunnel and feel better this week. I still agree with Spidey, I’d much rather have the vaccine than the Covid.
    What shocks me is several friends our age and older are NOT going to get vaccinated. I can’t believe their foolish decision. They say they are in God’s hands and He will protect them. Don’t they realize God gave us the vaccine ??? I am saddened by their attitude.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Mar 21, 2021 @ 14:10:54

      Rae, I know what you mean. The mind boggles, but it’s hard to change certain people’s way if thinking.
      I’m hoping things aren’t bad. I need to be in school!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. Mary Smith
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 13:17:32

    I’ve had my first one and they said they hoped the second one will be within 12 weeks as long as the supplies keep coming in. I was still having so many side effects from the radiotherapy, if the vaccine caused any they were hidden. Didn’t even have a sore arm.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. John W. Howell
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 13:01:20

    Even though I’m older (79), I would have rathered the teachers get the vaccine well before me and have not understood why they weren’t in line with first responders. I’m sorry you had those reactions. I did finally get a first shot.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Keith
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 12:30:54

    Ritu, where the rubber will hit the road is when doctors say what this person said to their patients. Keith

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. pameladbeverly
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 11:38:41

    Everyone is different so it might be that you suffer no side effects the next time.

    The thing that is kind of insulting to me is when they decide to give a shot to people because they’re about to expire and they don’t want to throw them away. 🤨

    Maybe you should ask the medical personnel if you could take the tablets an hour or so before getting the vaccine.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Marje @ Kyrosmagica
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 09:54:09

    Hi Ritu so glad you’ve had the vaccine. I agree that school staff should have the vaccine. I’ve just had mine a week ago. Think I have had a bit of a reaction as a week on I still have bad muscle pains in my back. (It is getting better but slowly!) So, I am a bit worried about having the 2nd dose. Nevertheless will do so. Hope your 2nd dose goes through fine. This message is so important I’m pro vaccine too. We need to get those shots to get rid of covid.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Erika
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 09:16:57

    Same counting for me. The (long-term) side-effects and damages of the virus are still unpredictable but existing. A vaccine is way beyond such a risk.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Steve Tanham
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 08:38:39

    Beautifully written, Ritu. I’ve had part one of the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Not too bad, but a day like a hangover the following day. Well worth it, and the tram at the centre were very good

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. lssattitudeofgratitude
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 08:11:13

    I’ve had mine gratefully. No side effects other than a sore arm. IMHO the more people vaccinated the better off all of all society is.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Siva jyothi
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 07:19:45

    Yoga spider 🕷😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. tidalscribe
    Mar 21, 2021 @ 07:13:17

    My NHS daughter had the Pfizer with the terrible headache, all her colleagues did, but still thought it worth it! I had AstraZeneka and seem to be unusual with no side effects at all – everyone else going back to bed for the day! Headaches are one of those things that aren’t too bad when you haven’t got one – but when you do get a bad headache realize how awful it is!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Mar 21, 2021 @ 07:16:02

      I do suffer migraines at times, and usually, I feel.the signs, and cam combat with medication before it gets too bad.
      This one was so bad, even 3 rounds of tablets stopped the horrid thing.
      I’m excited to be getting the second one, but so scared of this headache!

      Like

      Reply

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