I had the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine: My experience
Learn about the registration process vaccination, and the side effects I experienced.
Hello Readers! This article is a little different from previous ones. Instead of analyzing news in the biotechnology world, today I am covering my experience with receiving the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
First, some background.
At my university, faculty and staff who teach in-person classes qualify to receive the vaccine. I teach in-person recitation sessions for the Biology Department, so I fell into the qualifying category. There was no hesitation in my decision - it’s a privilege to be able to receive the vaccine and I wasn’t about to reject it.
Of course, I was nervous. I am an extreme over-thinker, so I was running through all of the possible scenarios in my head - what if this, and what if that. My trust for the science behind the vaccine, however, turned my anxiety into excitement. This is one way that I can help fight this virus; I can be vaccinated.
The Registration Process
First, I went onto my state government website and filled out the form which indicates whether I am eligible or not (https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/).
Then, I was directed to make an appointment at an available testing center. To do this, I had to answer questions along the lines of, “Have you had an allergic reaction to these vaccine ingredients before?” and “Are you immunocompromised?”
As a side note, here is a list of the ingredients in the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine:
mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine, and cholesterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose.
After filling out the questionnaire and scheduling my appointment, I was instructed to bring a print out of my appointment ticket, proof of occupation (pay-stub, letter from employer, employee ID), and identification issued by the state or federal government (driver’s license, military ID) unless under the age of 18 to my appointment.
The Appointment
When I arrived with my required documents, I was directed to registration. Registration asked me similar questions to those on the appointment questionnaire. I was then escorted to a station to receive the vaccine. The technician reviewed my questionnaire responses with me and then explained the vaccine.
The vaccine itself was super quick and pretty much painless. I was required to stay in a designated area for a 15 min. observation period; after that, I was free to go.
I was given an appointment card that stated the day and time of my first dose, and the appointment for my second dose - 21 days later, at the same time.
Side Effects
The only side effect I had was pain at the site of injection - no swelling or redness present. I will say that the pain was slightly more intense than a flu shot, but it dissipated after about 48 hours post vaccination.
Not bad, considering the result is immunity ( ~2 weeks after 1st dose) against Covid-19.
In all, my experience was positive. I had no problems with registration, vaccination, or side effects.
When they open the vaccine up to the general public or your population, hopefully within the next 100 days, please consider being vaccinated if you are eligible. Let’s do our part to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Additional Readings:
Am I Eligible Questionnaire for New York
Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet (I was given this)