Don’t Fear the Needle: My Experience with the Pfizer Vaccine

March 2021

By Yuritsi Jaimes, Staff Reporter

In little more than a year, Covid-19 has killed more than 570,000 people in the United States, and more than three million worldwide. Because of this, we need to protect ourselves and others by getting vaccinated. I recognize that many people are scared of the vaccine because it came out so quickly. As one of the first KAC students to get the vaccine, let me say: don’t be scared.

On December 28, 2020 I received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at my job. I work at an assisted living and memory care facility, making me an essential employee. I debated whether or not I should get vaccinated. But after a lot of thought, I realized I wouldn’t be alone. If doctors and nurses are getting it then it must be safe. And the Pfizer vaccine is reported to be the most effective one available.

I received my first dose at work. The nurse asked me some questions and then gave me a card showing the dosages, my name, and the date I got the vaccine. She then got the needle and gave me the shot. It hurt a bit. Later, my mom and cousin got the vaccine, too. All of our arms hurt for the rest of the day, and my mom and cousin couldn’t sleep on the side where they got their shots. The next day they complained that their arms were still hurting a lot, but my mom gave my cousin some Tylenol and she felt better. And for me it didn’t hurt anymore.

We waited three weeks to get the second dose. My cousin and I went in, we gave our card to the nurse received the shot. This time, we were asked to wait thirty minutes so the nurses would observe any unusual reactions. When they confirmed all vitals normal we went on about our day. The next day I had a fever, and so did my cousin. My mom felt tired and weak. But the day after that we all felt fine. Other coworkers didn’t have any side effects. So just because someone felt certain symptoms does not guarantee that all who get the vaccine will feel the same symptoms too.

Our symptoms only lasted for a little bit and the vaccine is 95% effective. It can keep us safe from Covid-19, and keep others safe, too. If we want to go back to normal, we all need to get vaccinated as soon as possible. So don’t fear the vaccine. I’m an anxious person, even paranoid sometimes. If I got the vaccine, then anyone can.

Type of vaccines Moderna COVID Vaccine, Pzier-BioNTech COVID Vaccine, and Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID Vaccine. Places where to get your own shot of the COVID Vaccine that are in stock: