My Experience And Advice For Taking Dose 2 Of The Covid-19 Vaccine
Written by: Dr. Sarah Hanisko, Cross published at www.anothermommess.com
Friends and family members who received Dose 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine alerted me to their experience of more intense side-effects after the shot. I took the time to research the second dose to make a plan for the days following my vaccination. Here’s a timeline of my second shot as well as some preparation advice for when your time comes.
January 29, 2021: Getting the Second Dose of the Covid-19 Vaccine
9:50am – I arrived at the Davis County location for my second dose. They’d switched around the arrival area so I had to drive around for a few minutes to find the new entrance. The volunteers checked my paperwork and work ID and slotted me into one of the lines.
10:07am – After pulling into my spot inside the building the volunteer took my paperwork while a nurse prepped my injection. The injection itself was basically painless and I was instructed to park in the waiting lot for 15 minutes.
11:00am – I returned home and noted that I was experiencing some mild itchiness at the injection location, but no tenderness.
2:25pm – I begin to feel the typical sore feeling you have after getting the flu shot. It was mild and manageable without painkillers.
4:00pm – Temperature is 96.7F. I run low. I wanted to get a baseline for what I was running before I hit the 12 hour mark. The soreness that was in my arm had moved into my shoulder and neck area. Again, nothing that was beyond the mild ache. I completed my daily V-Safe Check-in.
5:00pm – Lilly and I were watching the newest episode of Wanda Vision and I began to experience some chills. Granted, I didn’t know if they were from the shot or because I was watching Wanda Vision and a bit emotional from the fact that Geraldine was actually Monica Rambeau.
7:00pm – Temperature measured at 97.7, up one degree from the 4pm reading. I was definitely feeling some chills, and the soreness in my arm, shoulders and neck had increased. I also had a very mild stomach ache. Though still not at a point of needing Tylenol.
8:00pm – Headache starts on the right side of my head, it was a come and go headache.
10:00pm – Tired and Achy – final Temp check for the night was 98.1. While it’s not considered a “fever” it was nearly two degrees above my baseline. I consider it a raised temperature. Took an adult dose of NyQuil and went to bed.
January 30, 2021: Day Two of the Covid-19 Shot
6:00am – Lilly is an early riser. I however was not going to move. No fever, though I was really sore, achy, and tired. Lilly went upstairs to grandma. I took some Tylenol and went back to sleep.
Resting was the focus of the day. Primary symptoms were muscle and joint aches, much like what I would consider normal after a really intense workout. My headache would come and go and I was really extremely tired. I didn’t want to move much and we spent most of the time watching movies and playing video games.
I took a few naps throughout the day. By 5pm I was feeling better and by the next morning the only side-effect I was experiencing was tenderness at the injection site.
My symptoms were not awful. While I felt what I could describe as “icky” all of my side-effects were easily managed with Tylenol and rest.
My Advice for Taking the Covid-19 Shot:
- If you’re a single parent try to find someone who can help you in the 24-48 hours after your second dose. If you have a partner make sure that they can be home so that you can rest.
- Use Tylenol not Advil for symptom relief. There is some evidence that anti-inflammatory pain relief can effect the immune system response that you want to have. Don’t take any Tylenol or Advil before your dose as that can also diminish the immune response.
- Should you run a fever, monitor it. Dress in comfy pajamas and use light blankets. Cool compresses help too.
- Stay hydrated, especially if you’re running a fever. Water, tea, ginger-ale, soup.
The Overall Experience:
Overall, my experience was well worth the protection I hope to get from the Covid-19 vaccine. With my need to travel and be in hospitals for work, combined with high-risk older adults in the house, the vaccine is a god-send. Don’t delay in getting the shots, do it for those in your community who cannot.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my experience with the Covid-19 vaccine email at sarah at anothermommess dot com.
