COVID Vaccine

[modestmousktr]

Our hospital is rolling out the vaccine this month, and just wanted to connect with others and hear about their thoughts and experiences! I am excited and nervous, and also realizing there are people who need this WAY more than I do and there’s nothing I can do to get it to them I am scheduled for the end of the month- anyone else?

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[WisNeuro]

Haven't heard anything yet for myself or physician spouse. Neuropsychologist friend at the local VA just got the first dose, but she works on inpatient rehab floors.

 

[mypointlesspov]

I'm a postdoc at a non-profit that's affiliated with a large hospital and we got an email saying we could sign up for the tiered vaccine lottery. There's no specific timeline, but my tier will receive the vaccine after the demand for vaccines in the higher tiers (e.g. high exposure risk or required to work onsite) has been satisfied.

 

[cara susanna]

I'm not scheduled or anything yet but I signed up for the "interest" list. They said they'll be in touch with us as they find out more details. I assume I won't be high priority or anything.

 

[bookwormpsych]

Our hospital is rolling out the vaccine this month, and just wanted to connect with others and hear about their thoughts and experiences! I am excited and nervous, and also realizing there are people who need this WAY more than I do and there’s nothing I can do to get it to them I am scheduled for the end of the month- anyone else?

Both campuses at the hospital I work at are doing it this week. I initially declined to take it, but after much thought, I'm going to.
We can also decline obviously, but then you get the dreaded COVID nose-violation once a week from here forward lol.
And for context, I'm at an inpatient hospital.

Haven't heard anything yet for myself or physician spouse. Neuropsychologist friend at the local VA just got the first dose, but she works on inpatient rehab floors.

Neuropsychologist and a physician - What a power couple. That's awesome! Sorry if that's an odd comment. One of my favorite things is awesomely paired careers (and people).

 

[WisNeuro]

Neuropsychologist and a physician - What a power couple. That's awesome! Sorry if that's an odd comment. One of my favorite things is awesomely paired careers (and people).

If we're a power couple, we're a pretty boring one

 

[singasongofjoy]

I'm in the Pfizer study and also on the 1a list to get the vaccine at my AMC (role has shifted for a while to supporting a long term care facility / ICF for people with DD)- I'm waiting to receive a callback from the study coordinator by the end of the week unblinding me to which group I was in, but based on the timeline of symptoms I experienced for 1.5 days starting several hours after the second dose - combined with a negative COVID test the next day - I would be willing to bet a lot of money I got the vaccine. I had no reaction whatsoever after the 1st injection. About 8 hours after the second dose I developed a fever up to 101.8, a kind of qualitatively weird headache (like... pressure from the center of my brain pushing out and steady, not pulsing- different than a migraine) substantial fatigue for 1.5-2 days, and some lymph swelling on the side that I got the shot in. The study coordinator at the site who followed up with me (who was also blinded of course - it's double blind) stated that it seemed probable that it was the vaccine and if those were the side effects that was on par with the most severe they'd seen. And though not the best I've ever felt, it wasn't THAT bad. I called out 2 days of work and then was back to normal. They also hypothesized I might have had a greater reaction than most because I was part of a different vaccine trial last year (that also caused side effects for me) and my body's still sort of on "high alert." Maybe true, maybe not, but regardless, I would def do it all again. But would probably try to schedule the second dose for a day where I had a couple of days off coming up just in case.

 

[R. Matey]

I'm in the Pfizer study and also on the 1a list to get the vaccine at my AMC (role has shifted for a while to supporting a long term care facility / ICF for people with DD)- I'm waiting to receive a callback from the study coordinator by the end of the week unblinding me to which group I was in, but based on the timeline of symptoms I experienced for 1.5 days starting several hours after the second dose - combined with a negative COVID test the next day - I would be willing to bet a lot of money I got the vaccine. I had no reaction whatsoever after the 1st injection. About 8 hours after the second dose I developed a fever up to 101.8, a kind of qualitatively weird headache (like... pressure from the center of my brain pushing out and steady, not pulsing- different than a migraine) substantial fatigue for 1.5-2 days, and some lymph swelling on the side that I got the shot in. The study coordinator at the site who followed up with me (who was also blinded of course - it's double blind) stated that it seemed probable that it was the vaccine and if those were the side effects that was on par with the most severe they'd seen. And though not the best I've ever felt, it wasn't THAT bad. I called out 2 days of work and then was back to normal. They also hypothesized I might have had a greater reaction than most because I was part of a different vaccine trial last year (that also caused side effects for me) and my body's still sort of on "high alert." Maybe true, maybe not, but regardless, I would def do it all again. But would probably try to schedule the second dose for a day where I had a couple of days off coming up just in case.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[AbnormalPsych]

I'm a postdoc at a non-profit that's affiliated with a large hospital and we got an email saying we could sign up for the tiered vaccine lottery. There's no specific timeline, but my tier will receive the vaccine after the demand for vaccines in the higher tiers (e.g. high exposure risk or required to work onsite) has been satisfied.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Like cara, I've signed up on the "interest list." Not sure what the rollout looks like at my site, or whether I'll be grouped differently based on providing in-person services (doubtful).

 

[PsyDr]

1) The data regarding safety, efficacy, mechanism of action, etc all seem acceptable. There are like 3 known mechanisms of actions for injury for an mRNA vaccine. That is much lower than the average vaccine.
2) the national vaccine injury program exists, and the idiots never seem to know that.
3) Idiots trust Andrew Wakefield's antivax fraudulent data in his 1998 paper that cited too many vaccines as a source of a disease, while ignoring Wakefield's 1997 filing for a patent for a competing vaccine.
4) Idiots also include celebrities that used their status to deride vaccines because their kid had autism, and then said NOTHING when it turned out their kid had landau kleffer instead.
5) 1-3% mortality risk, so long as I am not admitted to hospital when the mortality rate jumps up.
6) covid19 has CNS effects. Also some data that it attacks the testes. That's two of my favorite parts.

 

[Spydra]

Just curious if any of you have heard chatter about the vaccine being required of interns? I realize this may vary by setting, risk, availability, etc....but am really just wondering if its even being discussed since I've applied this season.

 

[cara susanna]

All of the copies of The Lottery have been checked out of the hospital library. Of course, The Lottery is not actually an instruction guide on how to win the vaccine lottery, but rather a chilling tale of conformity gone mad.

 

[HopefulPsych21]

The institution that I work at is offering the vaccine for all employees. It's not going to be mandatory though. We have to sign up on an "interest list"

 

[DrBakedGoods]

My partner in the military received their first dose this week. Slight fever, but still able to complete PT and go about their day fine.

The AMC I'm affiliated with have been rolling them out this week in tiers. Most of the clinical psychologists I work with are in the 4th tier which is expected to start by January -- completely voluntary.

 

[Cantab109]

Just curious if any of you have heard chatter about the vaccine being required of interns? I realize this may vary by setting, risk, availability, etc....but am really just wondering if its even being discussed since I've applied this season.

I cannot imagine that it will be required for interns at any location. At my hospital it's optional, although encouraged, for staff. I am under the impression this will similar to the flu vaccine. If you don't get the shot, you will have to continue to wear a mask, etc. Of course, as of now, even with the vaccine we are to continue wearing PPE.

 

[Spydra]

I cannot imagine that it will be required for interns at any location. At my hospital it's optional, although encouraged, for staff. I am under the impression this will similar to the flu vaccine. If you don't get the shot, you will have to continue to wear a mask, etc. Of course, as of now, even with the vaccine we are to continue wearing PPE.

This is my hope. I have no problem continuing to wear PPE if I decide to not get the vaccine. I think it would put interns at a tremendous disadvantage if the vaccine were required given that internship placements are contractually bound and its the only way to complete our degree.

 

[WisNeuro]

I'd hope that it was mandatory if inpatient services were required, unless there is a legitimate exemption, which would be rare.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I don't think it will be required of interns by many, if any, sites. Heck, I don't even know that I see it being widely required of non-trainee employees initially.

 

[bookwormpsych]

I got my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday. My arm felt like it was on fire for a couple of hours and I had a horrible headache after. No other side effects, though. The injection site hurts terribly though, way worse than when getting a flu shot. I couldn’t even lay on the side I got it on while sleeping. That’s annoying but other than that, the vaccine has gone well for me.

Also the hospital I work at is inpatient but they weren’t requiring it, although they pushed very heavily for employees to get it.

 

[WisNeuro]

I've never had the sore arm after flu vaccine. Only one I've ever really felt is like a day long soreness after tetanus.

 

[PsyDr]

 

[mopsych3]

I'm currently an intern working on inpatient units and I am scheduled to get my first dose on Tues. It is certainly not required here; I think I am the only intern who is getting it. I was able to get it because I'm in gero. We are still being asked to wear PPE even after getting the vaccine until otherwise indicated.

 

[neuronoxious]

I'm currently an intern in Missouri and just received my first dose of the vaccine today. No soreness at all! Didn't even feel it

 

[Psychchick09]

I work on a residential unit at a VA so I was able to get it fairly early, and I got my first dose today. My arms a bit sore, but definitely no worse than the flu shot!

 

[Spydra]

@mopsych3 @neuronoxious Thank you both for chiming in. Something tells me I'm not the only intern applicant wondering about this.

 

[Sanman]

Got my first COViD-19 vaccine yesterday, my arm is a bit sore and I am feeling fatigued. I plan to be rather cranky while working today.

 

[WisNeuro]

Spouse got hers yesterday, slight arm soreness, nothing else.

 

[Ollie123]

Getting mine tomorrow AM (Pfizer). Exciting!

 

[AbnormalPsych]

My place says we should be getting direction on ours in the next week-ish. More frontline staff are still getting theirs then we are up.

 

[deleted106747]

Everyone I know who has gotten shot 1 has had little to no side effects. We are still waiting at my site, but hopefully in the next week or so.

 

[WisNeuro]

Still no side effects 2 days post vaccine over here.

 

[Ollie123]

3 hours post-vaccine here. Slight headache that may or may not have anything to do with the vaccine (our weather is bouncing up and down 30-40 degrees per day), otherwise nothing.

 

[DrBakedGoods]

I'm 5 days post 1st dose of Pfizer. I had slight arm soreness if I touched the spot for 3 days but other than that, nothing else. All those in my program/cohort (30+ that I know of) have not had any side effects either.

 

[Ollie123]

36 hour update: Felt like hell all day. muscles aches, chills and intense fatigue. Took a nap for the first time in like 5 years. I have never reacted to a vaccine in my life, so there is definitely some unique pathophysiology to this virus we will likely be unpacking for decades.

Still world's better than having COVID. Get vaccinated folks. Best Christmas present I could have gotten, fatigue and all.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

Oh wow. Which one?

 

[Ollie123]

Pfizer.

 

[WisNeuro]

36 hour update: Felt like hell all day. muscles aches, chills and intense fatigue. Took a nap for the first time in like 5 years. I have never reacted to a vaccine in my life, so there is definitely some unique pathophysiology to this virus we will likely be unpacking for decades.

Still world's better than having COVID. Get vaccinated folks. Best Christmas present I could have gotten, fatigue and all.

Hopefully today is much better! We're side effect free over here. ER doc friend of our had a slight fever and some body aches yesterday after his vaccine but is back to baseline today.

 

[DrBakedGoods]

The second dose was killer. 90% of everyone I know who received the second dose (Pfizer) had side effects bad enough to call out of work for the day. Only lasted 24 hours, but still -- be wary if you have big plans the next day!

 

[Sanman]

After my first Pfizer dose, I had a headache an hour or so later, mild fatigue the next day, and soreness at the injection site for 2-3 days. The people I know that got the second dose so far have been doing alright by me. Some had mild effects after the second dose, but nothing major that I have head about yet. I get my second dose next week, so we will how that goes.

 

[Cantab109]

I had a minimally sore arm but chills, fatigue, and muscle aches pretty badly the day after the first dose. It was bad but only lasted a few hours. I'm nervous about the second dose coming up!

 

[parametric]

I’m an intern at a large VA and got mine a few weeks ago (Pfizer). Zero side effects whatsoever - apart from feeling nauseated for about 20 mins after, which was likely anxiety + not having eaten that day because I got caught up in other stuff and suddenly it was 2pm... Most others I know got a very sore arm and/or fatigue after the first dose.

People seem to be doing okay with the second dose so far, I’ve heard reports of myalgia, headache, and some GI issues for ~24 hours but nothing major.

 

[WisNeuro]

Spouse had her second shot early yesterday. Had a mild fever last night for a few hours, went away, nothing else since.

 

[PsyDuck90]

I got my 1st dose of Moderna on Thursday. Some pain at the injection site for 2 days and mild fatigue. Day 3 today and I feel fine.

Edited to add: In comparison, I had 7 days of arm soreness with the flu shot a few months ago, so this is an improvement.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

Finally getting word all MH staff are now up for ours at my place if we want. No choice in the brand, they have both, you get what you get that day.

Anybody smarter than me know why folks are having these kinds of temporary reactions to these injections? The temp the liquid is stored? mRNA something or other? Something else? Its interesting to me.

 

[PsychPhDone]

Finally getting word all MH staff are now up for ours at my place if we want. No choice in the brand, they have both, you get what you get that day.

Anybody smarter than me know why folks are having these kinds of temporary reactions to these injections? The temp the liquid is stored? mRNA something or other? Something else? Its interesting to me.

Great! What do you mean by temporary reactions - side effects? It's the immune system working!

 

[medium rare]

Got the first dose of the Moderna vaccine this morning. No side effects yet.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

Great! What do you mean by temporary reactions - side effects? It's the immune system working!

Yeah, just seems disproportionately intense compared to other vaccines? At least from reading the above. Perhaps because its novel to the body whereas others may not have been?

Getting mine next week so we'll see first hand.

 

[Psychai]

Yeah, just seems disproportionately intense compared to other vaccines? At least from reading the above. Perhaps because its novel to the body whereas others may not have been?

Getting mine next week so we'll see first hand.

According to a friend getting their PhD in immunology, it's because mRNA vaccines are very efficient at producing the proteins responsible for an antiviral response, and consequently immune response-related side effects.

 

[ExecutiveDysfunction]

Got my first dose of Moderna this week. Only had some mild arm soreness, so I guess I’m lucky!

Related to a question above, did anyone have to wait 15 mins before leaving? I get it’s to watch for severe reactions, but I’ve never had to do that for another vaccine before. It seems the immediate side effect profile is no worse than other vaccine. Is it just an optics thing given vaccination reluctance, or am I missing something?