My COVID-19 Vaccination Story: One Shot Down, One To Go

Last Sunday morning, while reading about all the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine sitting in pharmacies while Boomers took a pass, I tweeted a plea to let Generation X get the jab. I knew I'd get the AstraZeneca in a heartbeat.

By the end of the day, it had been announced that AstraZeneca would be available to those born in 1981 or earlier on Tuesday. That's me!

A timely Twitter DM tipped me off to the fact you could book an appointment at Walmart immediately, so I grabbed a 5:40pm slot on 4/20, biked over to the Sherway Walmart on a particularly chilly April evening, and by 6:30pm I'd had my shot. Relief!

That night I felt great and my sleep was pretty normal. The next day, Wednesday, was tough. I was fatigued, a little achy, and a little dull. [insert joke about that being typical] Then my sleep on Wednesday night was wild. It was fever dreams and chills and when I got out of bed to make an appearance on Humble and Fred Thursday morning, I suddenly felt... normal. It was as if none of it had ever happened. I went for a 30 km ride on Thursday and I've felt great ever since.

As I type all this up on a Saturday morning, I'm proud that my fellow Gen Xers stepped up to move the vaccination needle this week. I know there are still many 40+ Ontarians trying to get their first AZ jab, and the whole awful process has serious Hunger Games vibes, but hang in there and don't give up. This is the beginning of the end of all this.

If you're eligible to get your COVID-19 vaccine, I urge you to do so. I also strongly encourage you to get the first vaccine you're offered, regardless of which one it is. All COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in this country are 100% effective in preventing you from requiring hospitalization with COVID-19, and that's the goal here.

My second AZ shot is scheduled for August 10. Peace and love to you all.