Two Down - Four to Go

 Several weeks ago Meg and Brett found out that they would be some of the first Hoosiers offered to receive the COVID-19 vaccination because of their employment at Bell Trace Assistant Living Home.  We knew that it was a possibility, but didn't realize that it would happen this quickly.  After attending a meeting at work and doing some research, both of them decided that they would sign up for their first dose.  While waiting for their shots they found out that they would still have to wear masks and social distance until ten days after the second dose.  They also learned that an extremely rare allergic reaction had occurred in some recipients.  Therefore they would have to remain in medical observation for fifteen minutes after their vaccination.  These additional facts did not to detour their desire to be immunized.  

Neither Meg nor Brett were concerned about the potential side effects either.  Those reported had been relatively mild compared to the virus - headaches, fever, and body aches for twenty-four hours or less.  What mattered most to both of them was to keep the vulnerable safe, especially those they worked with at Bell Trace.  Although the morality rate was incredibly low in Brett and Meg's age group, in the population that they worked with it was considerably higher.  The latest news report stated that 80% of the COVID-19 deaths had occurred in people aged 65 and above with a 15% mortality rate in those over eighty years old.  

Meg's vaccination was yesterday at IU Health.  She was nervous, but overall it went well.  The shot did not hurt, but her arm was a little sore.  She did have a sore throat later, but nothing unusual for her.  After her fifteen minute waiting period, she signed up for her second one to be given in three weeks.  We know from that timeframe that she received the Pfizer vaccine which was great news at it had a 95% efficacy rate.  Brett received his vaccination this morning and followed the same routine as Meg's.  The only difference was that he had mild body aches instead of a sore throat.  Overall, they both said that it went as well as they could have hoped.  I was happy to hear that and so incredibly proud of them for taking the step to keep those that they care about safe and help put an end to the pandemic.