A Healthcare Worker’s Journey With The Moderna Vaccine

I received the Moderna Vaccine on January 15, 2021 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. As a part-time Emergency Room Employee, I qualified for the shot in group 1A—one of the first groups to get vaccinated.

People may respond differently to the vaccine. With the first shot, I had soreness in my arm. A week prior to the second shot, I increased my vitamin regime to include additional Zinc, Vitamin C, and Elderberry to help decrease the severity of any potential side effects. While this may not work for everyone, after my second shot, I only experienced a dull headache and mild fatigue for a day.

I received my second dose on February 15, 2021, with full 94% efficacy established 2 weeks later.

The way that I live my life has not changed much. I still take precautions and wear my mask. It was not a “release” back to life as we knew it. Life is forever changed. What I did feel was a decrease in my level of anxiety and fear of death due to COVID-19. Is there a 100% guarantee that I won’t get COVID-19? No. But the odds are much better.

So, why did I choose to get the Moderna vaccine?

A year ago, I was going to work with fear and trepidation. Will there be enough PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and hand sanitizer? Would I contract the virus while attempting to help others in crisis and in need?

My responsibility left little to no room to experience the psychological effects of the virus because there was work to be done. Fortunately, we didn’t run out of medical supplies and the staff was fitted properly for all our gear, but we still knew every time we walked in the doors there was a level of risk involved.

For the past year, I have absorbed the stress of others—holding it all in leaving little room for my own. I came home and stripped out of my scrubs at the door. I would go straight to the shower after spraying my shoes with Lysol.

As a healthcare worker, there weren’t many second thoughts to get or not get the vaccine. I followed science. I listened to the Doctors and Epidemiologists at work when making my decision to get vaccinated. Ultimately, I thought about my family and my friends who I wanted to keep safe and eventually hug again. The vaccine was not just life or death for me — it was about my mental health. I am able to exhale and not fear death because of just trying to do my job. I can gather with other vaccinated people in small groups.

As more people have gotten vaccinated, I have slowly started to travel and spend time with family and friends again. As I make plans, the first thing my social groups share is their vaccination status. For our safety and that of others, these are groups I feel the most comfortable spending time with. I closely follow CDC guidelines and practices as I make my plans. Some may think this is overkill, but for me it’s about wanting to live.

Will I still test before travel and upon my return? Yes. Will I still wear a mask and follow my get home from work protocol? Yes. I am not immune forever. However, I am protected and still need to do my part to protect others as we continue to learn from science.

I understand that many people have fear and misgivings. Caution is understandable, but make decisions based on fact instead of fear.

Until more people are protected and the transmission risks are clear, we must all do our part to return to some normalcy. As I have often said to others, life as we know it may never be the same again. It is about life moving forward.

How will we live and continue to have meaningful experiences and connections in a world that includes COVID-19? There are so many ways that we can. In my opinion, the only way to do that is with viable treatments and vaccines. As for me, I feel that my shoulders are not as heavy and I can breathe a bit more freely again.

I like to think of my journey as a potential blueprint for re-entry plans into that space. You can establish your own. We are entering into our new normal.

Disclaimer: These are only my personal experiences with taking the Moderna vaccine. Please do your research on the available vaccines and consult with your doctor.