The Two Things That Surprised Me After Getting My COVID Vaccine

After a month of searching every morning, I finally got my COVID vaccine appointment. Excited, nervous and surprised, would accurately describe my feelings.

The day I'd been waiting for finally arrived, COVID VACCINATION DAY, Thursday, April 1. I will always remember April Fool's Day 2021 as the day I got my first vaccine shot. After many weeks of trying to get that life-changing needle in my arm, I finally scored an appointment at Walgreen's.

It was a four-day wait between scheduling and injection day. I'm a grown man with a lot of patience, but I had none when it came to this appointment. Like a child waiting for Christmas morning, including the anticipation of what I might get. Speaking of 'get', I got the Moderna vaccine, and thats when I had my first surprise.

2 Things That Surprised Me When I Got My COVID Vaccine

1. Several months ago, we spoke to a man on The Steve Shannon Show who had participated in the Pfizer covid vaccine trial. My daughter's doctor received the Pfizer vaccine. Pretty much every health professional  I know got the Pfizer vaccine. There is an abundance of Pfizer stock in my 401k. I really wanted the Pfizer vaccine. Much to my surprise, when I got my Walgreen's vaccination appointment and I was informed it would be the Moderna vaccine, I DIDN'T CARE ONE BIT!

2. I am a Type 2 diabetic and that was the reason I qualified for the current vaccine phase. I'm insulin-dependent and stick two needles a day into my stomach. Needles are not an issue for me so I was surprised that I had a little anxiety right before getting the injection. My next surprise... THAT NEEDLE WAS SO SMALL I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL IT. And, that needle was in and out of me in a hurry.

So far, the only side-effect I've experienced is a little pain at the injection site. Dr. Bill Renk (my daughter's pediatrician) from Swedish American has told us from the moment the vaccines were being rolled out that you should get your shot in your dominant arm. The more that arm keeps moving, the quicker the pain will disappear.

I've done my part to protect myself, my family and those around me, Please spend some more time thinking about what's best for you, your family and OUR community.

Steve Shannon is host of The Steve Shannon Show on 97ZOK. On the air weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. and a special 'Rewind' show, featuring favorite moments from previous shows, on Saturday mornings from 5 to 7 a.m.. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and like his page on Facebook.