The team at Capitol Rehab got its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (produced by Moderna) early in January and we’ll be finishing the second series in the next week.
No, this does not mean we’re going to start attending raves or foam parties or kissing people we pass on the street, but it does mean that we are working to provide our patients the safest environment possible so that they can feel confident about returning to our office.
Last month the entire team at Capitol Rehab went over to the vaccination office on Washington Blvd. and got the shot. We had to follow the protocols, which only took about 20-25 minutes to complete but the shot itself was very quick. The majority of our time was spent sitting in our cars waiting to see if we would experience any adverse reactions. None of us did.
Are There COVID-19 Vaccination Side Effects?
WE SURE HOPE NOT! Now that we’re more than a month into widespread vaccinations, with more than 25 million vaccinated, we see that few severe side effects have been reported. There have been some reports that the side effects from the second shot are a little more severe, but all reports suggest that this is the exception not the rule.
Yes, the vaccine was rolled out quickly, and it’s a little early to know if there will be any long-term side effects, but so far, none of us has started breathing fire, growing horns, or hearing secret messages coming from our teeth.
After the vaccine was given to us, we had to register with the CDC V-Safe website so that the facility can keep track of how we’re feeling and schedule our follow-up appointments. We’re hoping that this didn’t link us up to the microchip that was implanted during the shot. Kidding, of course.
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine?
A lot of confusion has accompanied the rush to get out the COVID-19 vaccine. Because we’re a medical office that has a large number of patients each week, the staff was high up the waiting list to receive the vaccine, whose initial production was reserved for health care workers, first responders, and residents and staff of long-term facilities.
States have begun extending their list of eligibile recipients since the initial rollout. Now, teachers, government and courtroom workers, food and agriculture producers, critical manufacturing workers, U.S. Postal Service and mass transit workers, grocery store employees, veterinarians, clergy and staff at religious institutions, and adults 65 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Even with early limited supplies, the vaccine is being administered quickly. In Vriginia, more than 640,000 doses have been given and the state started increasing its weekly shots by 16 percent last week. Maryland has had more than 450,000 vaccinations at the time of this writing.
With 1 million vaccines per day being administered throughout the nation and hopes to double that — despite a lack of additional supply — the vaccine rollout is going to take many months to reach more than 300 million people.
Some states allow residents to preregister for the COVID-19 vaccine; others are taking appointments from select populations. We encourage you to see what your state is doing.
Read more about our first round of COVID-19 shots.
