On April 28, 2021, I received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. By this time there was already a great deal of misinformation and speculation surrounding the vaccine. Conspiracy theories and criticisms about the vaccine have taken on a life of their own, and many have adopted unfounded beliefs to do with the shot. Still, despite the controversy, I still elected to receive both doses of the Moderna vaccine.
The process was very simple for both shots -- I walked onto the test site, filled out a few forms, received my shot, and waited 15 minutes. I didn’t have any adverse side effects, so I was free to go after the 15 minutes had passed. Overall, the entire process was maybe 25 minutes.
Some of the potential side effects of the vaccine include redness, swelling, and soreness at the site of the vaccine. Throughout the body there is the potential for tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. These side effects can be worse after the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, but according to the CDC, this is a sign that your body is developing immunity against the virus.
So far, the only side effect I have experienced is a bit of pain where I received my shot, which is a small price to pay for a free vaccine.
Becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 was a very simple choice for me. Of course I was going to do it. As someone who does not have insurance, but does live in a country with inflated healthcare costs, I embrace free medical care at every opportunity. It is a sad truth that in the United States, many people do not, and may never, have access to adequate and affordable medical care. I am one of these people, so when given the choice to get a free vaccination, I jumped at it.
Shots and vaccinations generally aren’t as expensive as any other kind of medical care, but the cost can still be exorbitant for those who are unemployed or working minimum wage jobs. Now, for the first time since the flu shot, people are able to be vaccinated free of charge nationwide. This kind of medical access is something that should absolutely be taken advantage of.
Many, however, are very hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. There is a good deal of speculation about the validity of a vaccine that could be produced in half the time it has historically taken to create a vaccine. I understand their doubts, considering the influenza vaccine took decades to create. However, there is an explanation for the expedition of this normally very lengthy process.
Research for vaccinations normally lacks the funding necessary to produce a safe way to develop antibodies. The COVID-19 vaccine, on the other hand, received $3 billion in funding for development. There were years of research on different strains of the coronavirus to build on, and a massive turnout in volunteers for human testing. Researchers were still working around the clock in order to produce the vaccine, but they had ample resources to do so.
A $3 billion budget definitely puts COVID research on the fast track, and less than a year into the pandemic, people were able to receive the vaccine.
Many have opted out of receiving the vaccine, but I implore you to do so if you are able to. If as many people as possible choose to become vaccinated, the US can achieve herd immunity and protect the immunocompromised, as well as those who are unable to receive the vaccine.
Written by Celeste Holmes
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