Getting first round of vaccine was painless

I’ve heard all the stories and seen the posts on social media about the COVID-19 vaccine. Still, when I had the chance to get the vaccine, I jumped at it.

Even though it is just like getting a regular flu shot — that I get each fall — I admit I still had some reservations. I’m not one to typically get nervous, but I could feel the palms start to sweat a bit as I pulled into the hospital, where there was a line of cars all going to the same place I was.

I was handed a clipboard with a sheet of info to fill out in the car and then had to wait until 10 minutes before my appointment time. Of course, I showed up 30 minutes early, not knowing what to expect, so I just sat as car after car rolled into the parking lot with the same wide eyes I had.

Finally, it was time for me to head inside. Greeting me was a friendly nurse, who directed me where to go. After getting my insurance information, I waited again, full of anticipation and dread, much like I felt in high school, waiting on my prom date to finish her makeover.

After a short wait, I got the call to go back to a room where a super-friendly nurse explained everything. She asked what arm I wanted the shot in, and I said that I wanted it in my butt because too many people said that is where my head is. She stared at me, failing to find humor in my comedy gold, although I’m sure she was laughing hysterically behind her mask.

Still, I meekly said “left” and began removing my arm from my shirt sleeve. I looked away for a split second as something shiny caught my eye, and then I turned back, ready to watch the enormous needle jab into my puny arm. Instead, all I saw was the nurse putting on a band-aid.

“That was it?” I asked.

Either I’m extremely tough, which is not the case, or the shot was tiny and didn’t hurt at all. Either way, I was done, set to come back for the second dose in a month.

They said I would experience some arm soreness and maybe would be a bit under the weather the next day, but that should be the extent of the side effects. There were no microchips implanted, I didn’t grow breasts or a tail, my DNA was the same, and I didn’t come down with COVID-19.

All-in-all it was a fairly painless process, except for a very sore arm the next day. Hopefully, I’m doing my small part to help end this pandemic that has gripped the world for far too long. I hope many others will consider doing it as well.