Triniti Maye 
On April 6th I went and got my second dose of the Moderna vaccine. I was always going to get vaccinated because I trust science, but I wasn’t in a rush to get it especially considering how difficult it was just to sign up or find a location. To be completely honest, I didn’t do a lot of research on the differences between Pfizer or Moderna. I just understood that when it was safe to start getting vaccines then I would get one. I did have a preference for the Johnson and Johnson shot but I don’t think it was approved by the time I got my first dose. So, here’s what happened between March 9th and April 9th.
So, me and my mom lucked up getting an appointment in the Pullman Park area. We picked up our prescription from Jewels and she signed us up that day. When we got there, we found out it was actually for seniors 65 and up. Immediately, I was ready to go. The staff claimed it was a lot of miscommunication between the city and state officials, which isn’t surprising given our government, so they let us get vaccinated anyway. They recorded our paperwork and we waited about 20 minutes to actually get the dose. I don’t know about y’all, but I have a low pain tolerance with a fear of needles. However, I didn’t feel any pain from the initial shot. I started to feel pain later that day, but it wasn’t unbearable. I didn’t take any Tylenol or ibuprofen and after about two days I was okay.
The second dose was a different experience. For starters, the second dose hurts initially. The moment the doctor stuck me I felt the entire dose fill my arm. I didn’t cry or anything, but it hurt, and my arm hurt for the rest of the week. I have to say, I did have a common cold that I caught from babysitting and I was acting like a big baby. I think the cold did more than the shot, but I could definitely tell there was a difference between the first and second because of how sore my arm was.
As of today, I feel like my regular self and I’m happy that I was able to get vaccinated. I didn’t think I would feel safer or be more encouraged to leave the house after the vaccine, but I do feel a sense of security when I’m around friends or going to class on campus. Even with this newfound confidence, I still wear my mask everywhere I go. Now, that I’m vaccinated I’m excited that people are getting vaccinated, and they are expanding the requirements for vaccinations. One thing I’ve heard complaints about are boosters, but I don’t mind the idea of getting another dose. Vaccinations are not new. The only thing new is the virus itself, so I have no problem trusting in science and making sure I’m as safe as possible.
By Triniti Maye, Saint Xavier Uni, Junior
Instagram: thatssotrin__
