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COLUMN: Injection of hope a real shot in the arm

There's a new thing: CVE. Wendy explains in this week's Everything King what she has coined as COVID Vaccine Envy
injection needle vaccine
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Remember the days when you waited in excited anticipation for that phone call?

Maybe, it was from that boy you had a crush on in high school?

Maybe a job offer was being made?

Maybe the deal on the new house had gone through?

Maybe the family would be calling about a lottery win?

Those were all moments of thrilling anticipation.

I recently got one of those calls. 

It was the news I could be put on the COVID vaccination list.

Yes, that’s where we are now folks. I was stunned the call came so soon. Within two days I was booked and had the shot.

I realize there is now this new thing. I call it CVE (COVID Vaccine Envy).

I swear it is a real thing.

We are envious in the way we used to be about our friend’s latest vacation, home décor, new hairstyle or delicious looking meal.

Now, though, we can’t help but ask these questions.

  1. How is SHE/HE getting it so fast? 
  2. How old are they?
  3. What pre-existing issues do they have?
  4. Did they jump the line?
  5. Do they know someone at the clinic?

It is understandable and almost amusing.

I thought I would walk you through my experience in hopes of a little education and maybe to put some fears at ease.

I am among the age group currently getting the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (60-64) and they are giving that one to that age because it has about 80 percent efficacy. 

They prefer to give Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson to the older demographic because those believed to be somewhat more effective. This is the doctor’s information given to our vaccination gang of five prior to injection. Five in a row, socially distanced in a hallway. You get all sorts of paperwork to read and sign.

My doctor’s office got a shipment of the vaccine, last week, and rushed to contact patients to come to a clinic. This was the case in Simcoe-Muskoka, Toronto, Peel, Hamilton and Guelph.

AstraZeneca is also the one that’s been getting some bad publicity lately.

There were reports of some patients, in Europe, experiencing blood clots post shot.

My doctor reassured us that Canadian officials had no concerns with it.

Canada’s medical adviser for Health Canada, Dr. Supriya Sharma, told The Canadian Press there is no evidence linking the two and it could have been a specific batch.

Being pro-vaccine, I would have taken whichever one was offered but that’s an individual choice.

I am not afraid of needles but I was squeamish about seeing what looked like a three-foot long needle jabbed into people’s muscles on every newscast for the last year.

To be fair—it is not any longer than any other needle but I still stand by my opinion that it looked much larger, sharper and scarier on television.

In my case, no pain and several days later absolutely no discomfort. This, also, is different for everyone. 

We were warned of possible flu-like symptoms after the second dose. In non -medical terms, you will feel crummy for a couple of days, maybe.

There was no date set for our second dose as they will try to get more people immunized with the first one before giving patients the second. The next call is expected within 16 weeks.

I have one helpful hint for the ladies. Do a Dolly! When Dolly Parton got her shot she wore a cold shoulder top (the ones where your shoulders and upper arm are revealed) so I did the same and it’s the perfect blouse so you aren’t trying to wiggle out of your top discreetly in a public space.

The most amusing thing about the whole episode was how many times I was told to come at the precise time.

“Do not come before 1:30 nor after 1:30. We need you stepping off the elevator at exactly 1:30.”

It amused me because it is the doctor’s office where you usually sit forever in one room before being taken to a smaller room to be keep waiting until you make it to the inner sanctum to sit around a bit longer. That’s a little jab from me!

Not this time. A well- oiled machine.

Honestly, I felt euphoria. I was so happy to have the vaccine so soon. 

I know it doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. I know we must still follow the rules of social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing and restrict our travel. I felt like they injected a little hope.

It was the real shot in the arm I needed.


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About the Author: Wendy King

Wendy King writes about all kinds of things from nutrition to the job search from cats to clowns — anything and everything — from the ridiculous to the sublime. Watch for Wendy's column weekly.
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