South San Francisco, CA April 7, 2021 by Elizabeth Nisperos, ESC Contributor
{NOTE: This is a follow up to Elizabeth’s March 5th article covering her experience receiving her first Covid vaccine, in response to requests for an update. CLICK HERE TO READ}
Diana Krall, jazz star was singing “Let’s Fall in Love”, in a Stern Grove park free concert in San Francisco years ago, some attendees were dancing to the tune. Free concerts at Stern Grove was a packed event. Luckily, a City of San Francisco lawyer gave a me space to sit down so I was able to see Ms. Krall singing and playing the piano.I still say, “Let’s Rise in Love”, rather than falling in love. Easter came, the message was He has Risen not fallen but He gave hope to the entire humanity. In John 3:16– For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son…”
To see first dosage article, please click here.
Here are the steps and reactions for second dosage:
A. March 30th, 9:05 am was my second appointment for my vaccine. Kaiser emailed me a reminder to appear at the Vaccine Immunity Clinic , El Camino Real, South San Francisco.
B. I had the same routine as the first dosage, except the screening form was for dosage two. I was told to go to the back of the white tent where there was line of people, I went to that line but I as got nearer, a guide said it was for the Pfizer dosage. Oops, there was another door and a line for the Moderna vaccine. I saw a guy who was about to get his injection; he was in the Pfizer line by mistake; he informed he had Moderna. He was immediately shifted to Moderna line.
Kaiser email clarified the importance of the second dosage.
“Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines met the FDA standards for quality, safety and effectiveness. Both vaccines require 2 doses and are not interchangeable. The first shot primes the immune system and helps it recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response. You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. ”
C. When station #8 was ready, the nurse got my CDC vaccination card, compared the card with the computer data , and gave me a shot on my chosen left arm. After that, she placed a blue sticker ” I got my Covid-19 vaccine” on my sweat shirt. I thanked her for being a frontliner. “Just doing my job, ” the nurse said. I stayed for another 15 minutes seated in a corner for observations of any allergic reactions.
The first dosage, I hardly felt any effect, except for the soreness in my arm, I was able to do my chores. I felt sleepy and actually enjoyed the sleepiness for rest. My sister Felice(Director of Nursing Education) who was vaccinated ahead, alerted me of the effects of the second dos
Her group residents experienced a more intense reaction for the second dosage, which lasted from two to three days, with symptoms such as soreness, fever, fatigue, joint pains.
To prepare, I had a pot of soup full of vegetables (oxtail broth with potatoes,cabbage,carrots, dandelion, kale, spinach,mushrooms, onions, garlic, ginger, herb spices ) and a pot of tea and ginger to consume before and after the injection.
D. After the vaccine, I went shopping for groceries and did my household chores. I hardly felt any side effects. Felt sleepy, went to bed early. The second day I felt my left arm heavy and sore, and my entire body was warm, with a slight fever, a little sluggish but no joint pain, nausea, chills. Still , I was able to do household chores since there was no joint pain. I ate my plant-based soup and kept drinking ginger with dandelion tea. I didn’t take any over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
E. When I woke up the third day, the slight fever was gone and I actually felt brand new. The soup and tea did its wonders. The Covid vaccine actually made me very creative to continue my ongoing projects.
Kaiser stated in its email -Common Side Effects:
“The side effects reported are generally mild to moderate. They can last a day or 2 and are a sign that the body’s immune response is working.
Local side effects may include mild pain, redness and swelling at the injection site (arm). You may apply a cool, moist washcloth to the injection area. Using or exercising the arm may also be helpful. You may feel unwell, tired or have headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes.”
CDC states the above reactions as a normal side effect.
For CDC’s smartphone-based tool for reporting COVID-19 vaccine side effects, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html