Remember the I Voted! thread?
Well, commenter cope suggested that we do the same for getting the vaccine.
My wife and I just got ours this past Saturday and the whole process filled me with hope, almost as much hope as when I saw our ballots had been counted in November.
People could talk about the process, why they were able to get it when they did and how they feel after having done so. You could even award a bandaid in lieu of the “I Voted” sticker or even two bandaids for those who have had both shots.
I thought it was a great idea, and I asked MazeDancer if she could whip up some stickers for us, which she did. There will be more stickers coming over time, hopefully with Lily, Champ, Tikka, Samwise, Max, my little Henry, and more.
I know we have at least a couple of people who got their shots yesterday, and some of you are lucky enough to have already gotten the first one.
You can also post to the thread if a family member or a member of your household gets the shot, even if you haven’t yet, because that affects us, too.
This post will be in the sidebar. Pick your sticker when you post, and that’s the one you’ll get. Otherwise, I will choose.
Even while we’re holding our collective breath until Jan 21, it’s important to celebrate what’s good.
And no, I did not get the shot. That’s just the title of the thread.
Ella in New Mexico
Got my #2 Shot yesterday and aside from a really sore arm, doing well.
Chetan Murthy
@Ella in New Mexico: The future is already here; it’s just unevenly distributed. Now to distribute it further from where you are, until it reaches where all the rest of us are *grin*. So happy to hear that you’re past shot #2!
raven
Number 1 yesterday. In deep blue Athens all seven people in the post-shot waiting room were yankees.
Betty Cracker
Badger is up to date on all his shots!
rk
I got the pfizer shot at the beginning of the month. Sore arm for two days, but that was about it. My co workers who got the second shot had more issues. General achiness and not feeling well. But nothing major.
Gin & Tonic
My dear wife has gotten both doses of the Pfizer, with few, if any, side effects. I, unfortunately, have to wait.
For your wife:
rikyrah
SO happy for you :)
Matt McIrvin
I’m so glad to hear all of this.
My mother-in-law is a retired nurse and has been fighting the powerful urge to do something to help, in the face of the obvious danger to herself. But our mayor just announced that the city is looking for volunteers with medical experience to administer vaccines, and given that the people doing it would undoubtedly get vaccinated first, that’s her opening–she’s already applied.
JPL
@Gin & Tonic: My second shot is scheduled for 2/2/2021. Did your wife mention if the second shot caused more discomfort? I got my first shot yesterday and there is minimal stiffness in my arm, but that’s it.
narya
I can’t figure out how to get a sticker . . . :-(
But I got my Moderna #1, on Friday, and am scheduled for the second one! I only had a sore arm for two days, which is the same reaction several team members had. Another coworker was severely fatigued for the day after. At an all-staff yesterday, a doc who got the full series (w/ her husband) said she didn’t have much reaction to either, except for the soreness and a little fatigue one day, but her husband ran a fever of 102 for a day.
And my 85- and 90-year-old parents are in line as I type, 950 miles away, awaiting their first shots!
Don K
Supply seems to be tight in MI, as the hospital group where I see doctors had one appointment available this morning at a location too far away to drive in time for the appointment, and no others available for the foreseeable future, and the county health department had none available, period. I suspect ratfucking by Cheetolini and his minions to further punish Whitmer. So no shots yet in this household.
Gin & Tonic
@JPL: There was more discomfort at the injection site, but she attributed that to poor technique. Who knows? In the scheme of things it was minor.
raven
@JPL: I think it’s all individual and it doesn’t really matter does it? The shingles shots kicked both of our asses but they are a whole lot better than shingles.
The Pale Scot
Here in Charlotte county FL the gov has 600 doses a week to hand out to over 65’s and healthcare workers. You are suppose to make an appointment on a county website, the slots are gone within minutes. I’m just trying to my dad vaccinated, I used three computers when the cattle call started at 9am. All I got were cloud flare notifications, url defense pages, didn’t get a sniff. What is really frustrating is that I don’t get to see the actual sign up page at all, so I don’t know what to look for to decide whether I’m looking at a cached page or an active one.
I think I’ll go the outdoor tables at local library next week, Comcast sucks
The Pale Scot
@Betty Cracker:
As he should be
sab
Old in Ohio so my shot is mere weeks away. My dad age 96 got his first shot Dec 29.
His nurse’s aide didn’t want hers. Erases all my guilt about putting her on the frontline to protect dad.
For your dad:
Woodrow/asim
My live-in Partner gets her 2nd shot next week, my Brother in the next month or so (both health care workers)!
I’m so excited for them — and for me!
FridayNext
My wife got the shot on Saturday. She is a cytogenetic lab technician in her 50’s. I am the same age and work at Trader Joe’s. I should be getting my shot in the next week or so
She was elated as was I for her. I am hopeful and excited.
For your wife:
Victor Matheson
My wife works in a patient-focused setting in genetics at the major local hospital. She has one shot (Pfizer) down and the next in two weeks. No shot for me anytime soon, but at least my main vector will be down.
For your wife.
Wag
Got my second shot last Friday. Felt like crap Saturday, but fine ever since.
Get the shot!
gvg
My sister the doctor got her first about 2 weeks ago. My parents in their 70’s got their first Friday. Gainesville Florida. I don’t really expect mine for months.
One balloon for each of them!
WaterGirl
@Matt McIrvin: That’s really great, on both counts! Helping, and getting the shot.
Mudbrush
Get my second shot next week. Wearing a mask is so hardwired by now that it will be hard to get used to not wearing one… This summer? Come fall? 2022? All good to me. I prefer wearing a mask, I’m not good looking, hides my worst features!
Come back for your other sticker when you get the second shot. :-)
kindness
I got my 1st Covid vaccine 2 weeks ago. My second one is coming up in another week & a half.
I just want to mention that there is a small contingent of folks out there (Hello fellow Deadheads) who refer to dosing as having eaten acid. Yea, we’re a tiny group who no one should probably pay attention to but that is what runs through my mind when I see that term used that way.
WaterGirl
@kindness: Vaccination and vaccine have too many letters. :-)
kindness
@WaterGirl: Flashbacks maybe. I’m at work so I can’t do art. I tried to paste pinwheels over the eyes of Badger but this computer doesn’t have any Adobe or art programs on it so I can’t do it. Damn.
The Moar You Know
@raven: First shingles shot was fine. Second one put me on my ass for a couple of days. That was fucking rough. As you note, far better than shingles.
There’s pretty much nothing the COVID shot can do short of outright killing me that’s worse than actually getting COVID, so this is a no-brainer.
Reading all of you actually getting it, while my 75+ year old parents are still waiting for any news on when they might get it, is telling me that CA is seriously fucking up in the delivery department. This gets fucked up enough, I’ll sign Newsom’s recall petition myself. He did a good job with lockdowns but he needs to be getting the vaccine out NOW.
VeniceRiley
Moderna last Thurs night. Work doing doses day and night to get everyone in clinics and senior centers done. LA County starts this week for our elderly patients.
My only symptoms were sore arm a couple days (milder than this year’s flu shot) and was fine afterwards until I was woozy overnight.
AndoChronic
Have my 2nd dose schedule for 1/18!
debbie
The genius state of Ohio will be running out of vaccines today or tomorrow, with the next shipment not due until next Tuesday. I’ll be lucky to get the first shot at all in February.
Matt McIrvin
@The Moar You Know: I’m between the two shots on the shingles vaccine right now (you have to wait a couple of months in between), so I have that to look forward to! That’s what everyone says–it’s rough but a hell of a lot better than getting shingles. But I suppose I’ll fit it in with all the other medical stuff I have queued up (I’m making up a lot of late-middle-age “technical debt” on healthcare, you might say).
WaterGirl
@kindness: Well, if you come up with something at home, let me know!
Miss Bianca
Right now listening to my clown car county admins having an “emergency meeting” talking about procedure. I would say “we are so fucked”, except the actual vax clinics are now unrolling. 300 doses will be administered by end of week. I am going to sign up for mine, since I am considered a “frontline journalist” (!!), so I may squeak into category 1B essential workers. A gal can dream!
WaterGirl
@Miss Bianca: crossing fingers for you.
randy khan
My wife and I are in the third group (called 1c, maybe to make us feel like we’re really in the first group) in Virginia. Basically, we’re part of the last chunk of priority vaccines, in the top half but not the top quarter or third. So we won’t get the vaccine for at least another month, probably longer.
But by the time the weather is warm again, we probably will be vaccinated and out of our cocoon. I’ll take it.
Greg Ferguson
All of these are great (& a fine idea) — however, rollout here in AZ is really just starting. Let you know when that changes! 👍👍👍
Matt McIrvin
@debbie: Running out is good, in a way–it means they actually managed to administer the doses they got. Massachusetts is way behind on that right now.
Gretchen
My New York respiratory therapist son in law got his second shot last week. Phew! I’ve been so worried about him all this time. He helped his manager intubate the first covid patient their hospital received. She got it and died. They didn’t have enough supplies for months, and he had one N95 mask that he kept in a paper bag between shifts and reused for a week. He’d change his clothes in the parking lot after work, and ran upstairs to shower as soon as he got home in hopes of not bringing it home to my daughter, his wife. His usual workload was 7 or 8 patients on ventilators, and at the worst, in April and May, he had 70 or 80. I am so relieved he is protected. I hope.
Yay!
Wag
@Wag:
Steve looks a lot like our cat, Avanti! Thanks for the sticker.
way2blue
My son got his first Moderna injection last week. He’s young & healthy, but also a research immunologist who works with HIV patients in a hospital setting.
WaterGirl
@Gretchen: @way2blue:
Every medical person who gets both shots is making the world safer for every patient and for their families.
Ruckus
@raven:
I guess I was lucky, the shingles shot didn’t hurt in the least. Shingles OTOH – DAMN, that was, what’s the exact opposite of no big deal?
Wag
@Ruckus: I think for that one you need to go back to when Biden was out VP. A BFD!
sab
@Mudbrush: Keep wearing it, for public relations. Until everyone has had access to vaccinations it should be rude to be out without a mask.
J R in WV
@The Moar You Know:
Newsom is not responsible for vaccine issues. No state can form and execute a strategy without knowing anything about deliveries of vaccine.
The federal handling of the vaccine supply is deliberately fucked up, in order to kill as many residents in Blue Democratic states as possible. This is planned and executed by the White House, staff working for Trump, there is nearly nothing Gov. Newsom can do about it as long as Trump controls the vaccine supply.
J R in WV
@sab:
Fixed this for you, I think it is now what you meant!!
Starboard Tack
Got the first Pfizer yesterday in Denver. Second one on 2 February. Colorado’s doing ok with the distribution and Gov Polis is on YT every few days talking about the situation and improvements. We had a recent bump up in new cases but that went with an increase in testing. Hospital beds and deaths are declining. OT It’s a good state to live in. Ken Buck and Lauren Blowback are on the list for 2022. If you want to move here, we’ve got plenty of weed and sunshine, but bring your own water.
Joey Maloney
Got Pfizer #1 last Saturday evening, had a sore arm the next day, am booked for #2 on the 30th. I’m glad Netanyahu was willing to spend as much (of taxpayers’ money) as it took to assure enough vaccines for the entire* population, though that in no way makes up for him so badly fucking up everything up to this point so that we now have uncontrolled community spread AND the economy is trashed. But that’s life under autocracy.
*With the exception of Fuck Them Arabs, of course. The government takes zero responsibility for getting the vaccine to the West Bank and Gaza, and don’t get me started on how stupidly self-defeatingthat is, given that large numbers of West Bank residents cross the Green Line daily to work construction, agriculture, and other menial labor.
I’d like the Steve sticker, please and thank you.
eachother
Called to find out when a shot would be available. I was told February. Way to roll out. Warped to say the least.
ETA: second tier category.
WaterGirl
@sab: Exactly! First, because the vaccine is only 95% effective. Second, because how am i supposed to know that you have received both shots (still at 5% risk) or you’re an unmasked asshole and I should run for my life?
KenK
Mrs. KenK got her 1st shot on Saturday. I met qualifications (>65) and am now waiting for local pharmacies in WNY to get stocked. Could be a couple days, could be a couple months… Stay tuned.
For Mrs. KenK:
Kelly
@Mudbrush: Mrs Kelly and I are seriously considering adopting the Asian habit of masks for the cold and flu season. Lockdown out here on our dead end road where two rivers meet is the healthiest winter we’ve ever had.
mrmoshpotato
Not sorry.
Does Bob Marley get to administer the shot to any sheriffs?
cope
Late to my own idea I see.
Our governor is pandering to the olds (about 20% of Florida’s population) so we were both willing to be pandered too. We got Phizered last Saturday and will follow up on 1/30. It really did make us both feel hopeful for the future. As my wife is severely immune compromised, we have diligently locked ourselves in the house since early March and look forward to getting some sense of normalcy back. Glad to see so many others getting shot.
Edited to add: balloon with blue background, please.
WaterGirl
@mrmoshpotato: You will have to ask the deputy.
J R in WV
OK, Bob Marley, ask the Deputy… LOL hilarious.
One more reason to love Balloon Juice — LOL humor you can’t ever see coming!!
Ruckus
@The Moar You Know:
Some of the CA delay is how many there are of us and how many doses that were sent to CA. numbnuts shortchanged states that didn’t vote for him. He’s just trying to pay us back for him being such a douchebag.
Inspectrix
I got the Moderna shot #1 at work two weeks ago and had a sore arm. i am really proud of my team who are vaccinating 900 patients this week. It is so rewarding to be part of the vaccination effort. Steve sticker, please.
Sounds like you should be getting shot #2 any day now?
beckya57
I got my second shot this morning. Can I please have the kitty?
CaseyL
I didn’t want to say anything until I got the 2nd shot, but I have had my first.
And I’ll take that lovely Badger 1 Dose Done sticker, thank you :)
(And I’ll be back for Steve!)
Sandia Blanca
Here in Austin, Texas, the rollout has been bumpy for the general public. Friends who (tried to) sign up through the Austin Public Health system had many technical difficulties, although some have managed to get in and got their shots today. Word of mouth seems to be the most successful method for finding the vaccine.
For some reason dentists are not considered important enough to get in the high-priority groups, so my dentist today described how she managed to get her first dose at a grocery store pharmacy, but is having trouble scheduling the follow-up for the second dose.
Fortunately for me, I work for a large healthcare system, and after they had vaccinated all our front-line workers and clinical staff, they opened it up to the rest of us. As a result, I was able to get my first dose of the Moderna today. So far only slight stiffness of the arm, otherwise feeling fine.
WaterGirl
Congratulations to all who got the vaccine today!
The Very Reverend Crimson Fire of Compassion
I got the Moderna yesterday. I’m a special education teacher in Southern Illinois, so I’m 1b. Sore as hell, but so far otherwise unscathed. Not sure how I get my sticker, though.
WaterGirl
@The Very Reverend Crimson Fire of Compassion: Tell me which sticker you would like, and I will add it for you. In the meantime, have a balloon.
Sandia Blanca
@WaterGirl: Hi WG, could you please add the “balloon blue” to my post (#61)? Thank you very much.
Dusty Rose
Lurker here. My 86-year-old mother and I got the shot on Wednesday. I got one as her caregiver. I signed Mom up on our county’s reservation webpage and they called her to schedule the appointment. Her neighbor and his wife got theirs last week, and her friend and her husband are getting theirs today. Quite a few ladies in my quilt guild said during our monthly Zoom meeting that they either have had the shot or are scheduled for it. I’d like the Steve sticker, please.
This second Steve is for your mom. :-)
WaterGirl
@Sandia Blanca: done!
Pupjoint
I got shot the vaccine, did not get the lollipop.
#1 Moderna, yesterday, at a drive-in facility at NRG Stadium in Houston, administered by Memorial Hermann, a huge, local, non-profit health provider. Very well organized, at least 10 lanes. Next shot due on 2-11-21. I would like the green ballon, please.
Sandia Blanca
@WaterGirl: Thank you, friend!
grammypat
On Monday, Texas switched to a so-called “hub” system instead of trying (and failing) at the logistics for pharmacies, doctors’ offices, clinics, etc. They designated more than a dozen large-scale locations across the state for everyone in the 1a and 1b categories.
The hubs near San Antonio, Dallas, and Ft Worth had an assortment of registration/mailing list/appointment methods. They varied wildly in their levels of organization and competence. Most stated that I would hear back from them sometime in the next few weeks … maybe.
Undeterred, on Wednesday evening I tried the City of Austin’s vaccination portal. I’m neither a city nor county resident, but that was irrelevant. On the first attempt, I was able to register AND then make an appointment at a time of my choosing on Friday (all within less than 48hrs). Talk about efficient!
Nevertheless, during the drive to the hub location, I kept expecting to get a message telling me: “We’re sorry, but don’t come today because __________.” That didn’t happen, but I still expected some degree of chaos. What I found was anything but. They had a system and they executed it.
Although people were pouring in (all old farts, like me), the only snag was the time I needed to fill out the forms. There were as many workers (>100 Austin city, Fire, PD, and EMT) as vaccination seekers, and all were unfailingly polite and helpful.
I arrived 10 minutes early for a 4pm appointment … got Moderna’d … and was back in my car by 4:20. I’m seldom impressed by anything, but must admit that the entire experience has left me in awe. Hopefully, the federal supply issues are worked out by 2/12/21, the date that they scheduled my second dose.
Because of my dysfunctional immune system, I knew from the beginning of this pandemic that if I got the virus I would die. Being in fear for my life for the past year is NOT something that I want to repeat. This sense of relief is impossible to describe.
Watergirl – Fireworks seem appropriate. A green balloon is an acceptable substitute because St Patrick’s Day is gonna be lit. Please and thank you.
featheredsprite
Got a shot today – Moderna. Next one is due on Valentine’s Day but the Moderna folks have said that a 2 month space is still effective. (We may need the extra time to fix Trump’s fucking with us.)
Washington State seems to be doing okay.
chopper
got the first dose today. moderna. have to schedule the next one, and the website is a bit of a mess but i’m still halfway there.
planetjanet
I took my Mom to get her first vaccine today, the Moderna. She has had no side effects so far. The sense of relief I feel is indescribable. This is a deep red rural county and the virus is running rampant, and mask wearing is spotty. Glad that they are vaccinating at three times the rate of my county and have reached 6.5% of the population so far.
Bandit – 1 done
SkyBluePink
First moderna shot yesterday- well run county health department program. Little sore at the injection site. Appointment for 2nd dose set for mid February.
And a new competent and caring administration today!
All is Good!
(badger sticker please)
Dorothy A. Winsor
First Moderna shot this morning at a nearby hospital that had worked an arrangement with the managers of my over-55 condo building.
Most of the people in the line this morning were younger. I assume they were essential workers.
JAFD
Greetings from New Jersey, everyone !
Made appointment on Thursday, last week, online. Today – 1/21 at 10 AM – was first I could get.
Took bus downtown, walked to Essex County College. Big billboard outside gym entrance “Essex County Covid-19 Vaccination Site”. Got there about 9:25, about 10 people in line. Opened up at about 9:35. Got my shot at 9:40, out of there by 10. Moderna vaccine. Haven’t noticed any lasting effects, at half past noon – KOW
Have taken over ‘Physical Education Building’, gym hass 16 seperate curtained-off ‘booths’ for actually giving shots, about 125 chairs, six feet apart, for people to rest for 15 minutes afterward. So figure this facility can give 500-600 shots an hour. if they have the vaccine.
In ‘Dry January’ news, hasn’t been that cold here this month, but lack of humidity has gotten my knuckles painfully cracked. Hand lotion recommendations welcome.
Stay healthy, happy, and hydrated, everyone !
JCJ
I got my first shot on Dec 30 (a good way to end the year) and the second one yesterday – Inauguration Day!
My brother had already received his second shot on Jan 8. He is a medical oncologist with IU Health and also does palliative medicine. The health system where I am on staff did not get any supplies until the end of December, but even the University of Wisconsin Hospital system did not get their supply until after IU in Indiana. No idea why we cheeseheads had to wait a little longer. Definitely a little tired after each dose.
(two green balloons please!)