When I first visited America, an aunt said something that would define my perception of America 20-plus years later:
This is America. If it’s hard, you’re doing it wrong.
She said this in response to me fighting with the can opener. I had never used an electric one before and just couldn’t get a hang of it. In fact, it wasn’t until moving to Atlanta that I found the nerve to try them again.
Nevertheless, her words stuck. For as long as I was visiting or living in America, if something was hard, I would stop and remind myself that this is America. I don’t remember a single instance where something was hard and I wasn’t doing it wrong.
Why Are Americans Skipping the Second Vaccine?
When someone posted on my feed about 8% of Americans skipping the second vaccine, I was one of the few people who didn’t find it surprising. The second vaccine isn’t easy for most people. We have all heard the horror stories and doctors have confirmed them while urging us to take the shot anyway. So, naturally, quite a few Americans will skip it. Taking the hard route has not been the American way for decades.
I am not American-born and have been told I tend to take the hard route on purpose. Naturally, I did not think twice about taking the second shot. In fact, I got mine a day early.
Why Does Canceling COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Matter?
When I got my first shot, it was an almost two-hour drive to the organization distributing them in Riverside, California. I RV in rural areas, so we just didn’t have a lot of places to choose from nearby. A week before my second shot, I learned Walmart was now an option. All we needed was to book an appointment and bring in our first vaccination cards.
The drive all the way back to the Riverside center did not appeal to me. It was a beautiful drive, but what if the symptoms hit early? And anyway, who really wants to drive two hours to do something that could be done 30 minutes away at the local Walmart? Not me! So, I canceled my old appointment and booked a new one with Walmart.
Canceling your appointment is important. Please do not just book multiple appointments and pick the one most convenient to you. Always cancel at least 48 hours before. It gives the organization enough time to find people to fill the spot or those vaccines will go to waste. Hundreds of thousands of vaccines have gone to waste for this very reason. The rest of this story is an excellent example.
Can You Get Your COVID-19 Shot Earlier?
I scheduled my shot for Saturday. Friday morning, I woke up to a missed call from Walmart. They said they no longer had shots for Saturday but had extras for Friday and were begging me to come in and take it so it wouldn’t go to waste. Kevin called after I hung up with them. He had the same appointment and received the same desperate phone call.
He decided one day early couldn’t hurt and started making plans to leave. Being high-risk, I think twice before making certain guesses about my health. I spoke to a doctor via my insurance company’s Telehealth service. He informed me that getting the vaccine a day early was fine. In fact, up to four days was generally okay.
I am not a medical doctor and you should not take anything I say as medical advice. I’m only repeating what my doctor told me. Guidelines change frequently regarding the vaccines, so speak to a doctor before making your decision.
What Were the Side Effects of the Second Vaccine?
I recently shared the side effects experienced by me, Kevin and my parents after our first shots. I’ll follow the same format to share how the second round affected each of us.
Moderna: Alexis
On the day I received the vaccine, I had no side effects. My arm was barely as sore as the first shot. When I woke up the next morning, I could barely get out of bed. I forced myself out to make breakfast, made the bed, made a sickbed on the jackknife sofa and went back to sleep. Then, I woke up in the afternoon for lunch and went back to sleep. I woke up again before sunset for dinner and then went back to bed.
It wasn’t until 10:55 that night that I finally woke up and stayed up. I didn’t make it back to bed until 4 AM. By the time I got up the following morning, I was 90% back to normal. I was fine by Monday. One strange symptom I had was a lower-than-normal temperature. I usually have a temperature of 97.5 to about 98.7. My temperature was 96 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. I have been fine since Monday with no more side effects or exhaustion.
Moderna: Kevin
Kevin started complaining of side effects from the evening of the first day. He said his arm was very sore. The following morning, when I finally dragged myself out of bed, I went to pound on his door to make sure he was alive. He complained that his feet hurt. Kevin slept through the day and then through the night, but was fine by Sunday. He still complains about foot or leg pain every once in a while. Aside from this, he is fine.
Pfizer: Dad
You might remember from the previous article on our first shots that my dad had the worst symptoms out of all of us. He had fevers, chills, and the whole nine yards. Naturally, he expected things to be even worse on the second round and braced himself for it. Nothing happened. He had no symptoms. I suspect his strong reaction to the first shot may be that he had an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection before.
Pfizer: Mom
Mom also had a rough time with the first vaccine but has only mild reactions to this one. Her one complaint was foot and leg pain. She visited her doctor and he told her it was not vaccine-related. Still, I shared with her that Kevin had similar complaints. Mom had blood clots in the past and has been a little anxious since the Johnson & Johnson fiasco. I suspect she might have also had an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection.
How Long Can You Wait To Get Your Second COVID-19 Vaccine?
America is way ahead of virtually any other country in the world when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations. California is even further ahead than the general population. Most other countries, including Canada, are struggling to get people the first vaccine. So, many people will have to wait a much longer time than the recommended three-to-four weeks. Consequently, the people wondering how long they can wait are not just the 8% of Americans who received their first shots and haven’t gone back for the second one.
According to the CDC, you should get vaccinated within six weeks or 42 days of receiving your first shot. This is general information, so talk to your doctor about whether and when you should return for the second. Note that some people who had a severe reaction to the first vaccine have been advised against getting the second shot. Only your doctor can determine whether this applies to you. Generally, severe reactions include the likes of experiencing anaphylactic shock.
What Are Some Tips for Powering Through Side Effects of the Second COVID-19 Vaccine?
I think I made some great choices beforehand. However, there are a few things I wish I had done differently. If you haven’t yet gotten your second shot, learn from my mistakes.
Talk To Your Doctor
This is one of the things I did right. Not only did my doctor confirm I could get my shot early, but he also told me what to expect. He then advised me on when to seek medical attention.
Take Time Off
This is another thing I did right. I added Monday to my days off, just in case the vaccine side effects lingered. If I had gotten the vaccine on Saturday, as originally planned, I would have needed that Monday. If you end up not needing the extra day, at least you get some time to relax.
Buy Tylenol
My doctor told me to get Tylenol beforehand, but I forgot. I didn’t need it, but if I had, I would have been screwed. Ask your doctor whether they recommend taking anything and what that is. Note that some medications actually worsen the side effects and can prolong them.
Plan Meals
Another thing I didn’t do is plan my meals. I recommend meal prepping ahead of the vaccine or even on the day you receive it. If this isn’t your style, buy takeout or get TV dinners. If you get hit with that sleep hammer, as Kevin and I did, you might not feel up to making any healthy meals and you do need to eat.
Can You Stop Wearing Your Mask After Getting the Second Vaccine?
Today, while walking to the office with another vaccinated person at the campground, I noticed they didn’t have their mask. When I asked them where it was, they told me vaccinated people no longer had to wear masks. This is false information: fake news, in the words of an Orange Man who once occupied the White House.
According to the CDC, you are only considered immunized two weeks after receiving your second shot of a two-dose vaccine or the same period after one shot of a one-shot vaccine. Immunized persons can now ditch the masks outdoors, when not in large groups. However, when indoors, you can only ditch the mask in the company of other fully vaccinated individuals.
Personally, I’ll keep wearing my mask when inside public spaces to put other people at ease. My vaccine protects me, but my mask protects them. Also, in all honesty, masks do not bother me. I’ve been wearing them since before the pandemic because of horrible allergies I had in Georgia. I will likely continue to wear them during allergy season long after the pandemic has gone.
Have you received your second shot? What side effects did you experience and what did you do about it? Can you share any recommendations?
My wife and I both had our Pfizer shots completed in early March. Both of us in our 7th decade, and other than moderately sore arms, we had no side effects from either shot.
Interesting! I’ve been hearing that younger people are suffering more severe symptoms than older people.
That is what we have been noticing as well.
I had no side effects at all with the first shot, but than had fever and chills and body aches with the second one. I’m also continuing to wear a mask, and will probably continue to do so during flu season each year.
That’s great! I’m also considering wearing one during flu season going forward. But definitely during allergy season!
A great post! You hit all the key elements and they are all correct. I received my second Moderna vaccination on April 1st. Neither shot gave me any thing that I would consider any sort of side effects or reaction. Even though I’m fully vaccinated I still wear a mask when indoors and public places and I wore Nick Gator when I was out and about Joshua Tree National Park last week. People forget a couple things about being vaccinated. #1. They can still shed the virus to other people if they have Covid-19 and show no symptoms. #2. After receiving the vaccination the body will react like they have the virus and people may be ill for a day or so as the body is doing what it should by fighting off the virus. #3. By being vaccinated it doesn’t make you immune, it can lessen your chances of being hospitalized with a severe illness. You still may become ill with covid-19 but you should not become severely sick. It’s just like getting the flu shot where you still could get the flu but you should not get as sick from it. Wearing a mask in public settings where physical distancing is not practical will become a way of life for us and will continue I think for some time yet. I also feel yearly booster shots much like our flu shots will be needed to help keep people from becoming severely ill.
Agreed with almost all of the above! My only disagreement is that you won’t get severely ill. I’ve read about “break-through” cases. Oklahoma was the study area. Don’t quote me on the numbers, but it was roughly 1 million vaccinated and more than a hundred got COVID-19. About a dozen were hospitalized and I think 3 died. It’s rare though, as you can see versus the total number.
i didnt say you wont get severally ill, but said it can lessen the chances. and i think the numbers show a small number of people have become severally ill after being “fully vaccinated” also there has been a small number of people who have had covid several times who were not vaccinated. being fully vaccinated is where we as earthlings need to be.
Welcome to the fully-vaccinated club! I received my second dose last week, and honestly, the side effects felt milder than those from the first. Like you, my second-dose appointment got pushed a day early, but it was due to construction happening on my intended appointment day (gotta love street work in LA!). It was bearable and now we can say that we’re completely done! It’ll take a long while for the rest of the population to catch up, but here’s looking up!
Thank you! Interesting that you also got yours a day early. I’m really happy that this vaccination chapter is behind us. Here’s to waiting for everyone to catch up. Sadly, I’ve heard it will be 3 more years before 60% of the world population is vaccinated.
My wife and I both had the Pfizer vaccines. Not a single side effect between us!
Lucky you!
Ok, first…what a perfect phrase to capture the American work ethic: if it’s hard, you’re doing it wrong. Love. It.
I am 11 days in after my second Moderna shot and, unlike the first where I joked that the nurse jabbed herself instead of me since I felt nothing and didn’t even see a dot of blood at the injection site – the second shot set me back! I never get headaches, but within 4 hours of the second dose, had a lil behind the eyes number going on. The next five days were terribly lethargic affairs with daily rotations of muscle pain, fever/chills, back to muscle pain, GI distress; and finally a repeat of fever/chills. It was more annoying than rough. But I’m an American born, cis-gendered, white guy in his 50s…imagine how those five days impacted my privileged, fragile ass.
But I’m glad I got my full vaccination and I’m just three days away from 100% efficacy. And, you bet I’m still wearing my mask – because it’s not all about me. Plus, I look better with the mask! Thanks for sharing – and encouraging others!
Wow! Yours really did a number on you! I thought mine would be worse than it was. I was surprised all it made me do was sleep. I was expecting fevers and chills and some muscle pain, like you. Your symptoms also hit pretty early. My doctor told me I probably wouldn’t feel anything until the day after. I’m glad you’re recovered now!
And yes, I find that my aunt’s advice has made my life in America so much easier. 😂 As soon as I find myself fighting with something too much I stop and say, “What am I doing wrong?” It’s always something! 😂😂😂
Good advice. I asked my nurse about the shots and she said they do not stop spread of the virus, they only reduce the effects, minimizing hospitalizations. In other words, we will still continue to need the masks, etc.
That’s what I’ve been told as well. I understand that a lot of people are tired of the pandemic and ready to move forward, but we’re only going to go backwards if we think we can finally skip scientific recommendations after a vaccine.
You are right. Take care.
My husband and I both had Moderna, shots 1 and 2. No reactions other than a sore arm after the first shot. My husband complained that receiving the second injection actually hurt. I did not feel much of anything. We both had sore arms again. I had a low grade fever and lethargy after the second injection. After 24 hours passed, I was symptom free. He had no ill effects.
I am honestly really surprised how hard the symptoms hit for those 24 hours of lethargy. I thought I’d be out all week. Then, I woke up and was fine!
I’ve had both Pfizer shots. I am over 60 so I’ve been vaccinated for awhile. My second shot was nothing at all. I actually wondered if it worked. I did more protocols for the second dose also. I had meals in the fridge. I planned for do nothing days. I took water and meds with me so as soon as I had my shot I took the meds and drank a lot of water. I plan on continuing to wear my mask. It feels like the right thing to do to keep myself safe as well as others. Congrats on getting your second dose.
Thank you! It sounds like you were much better prepared for the second dose than I was. Did you have severe symptoms with your first shot?
The first shot I had a very sore arm for 24 hours. The second shot was nothing at all. I even slept on the shot arm the same night on the second shot.
I slept on the shot arm both times, despite it being sore.
Good for you.
Not really. It hurt, but that’s my preferred side to sleep on. 😂
I get it. But pain wins
Thanks for this clear, common-sense info, Alexis! I’m an over-60 person who has now had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. After the first one, I had mild, flu-like symptoms. With the second, I had no side effects at all. I’m also still wearing a mask and will for the foreseeable future. Take care!
Thanks, Becky! Do you know if you had the virus prior to the vaccine? I’ve read that people who’ve had it have stronger reactions to the first shot than the second. That’s why I think my parents may have been asymptomatic.
No, I don’t believe I did, Alexis.