Second Covid Shot – What to Expect

I do feel pretty fortunate to have now received my second dose of the Covid vaccine. Maybe this will begin the end of the grip that this virus has had on this country and the world. There is much information published on the reactions that people have from this dose, but I will give you what it was like from my perspective. What to expect…

Florida Covid Status

The numbers look to be improving in Florida. It could be the impact of vaccines, the warm weather, or is it herd immunity kicking in? By the way, Florida does not have a state wide mask mandate and leaves that up to the individuals and businesses.

Virginia Covid Status

Meanwhile back home in our other home state of Virginia, the stats are also improving. The weather has been very cold with snow and ice, so I doubt that weather has been improving the numbers unless people are simply staying at home. Virginia still has many curfews and executive orders regarding limitations on businesses. LINK

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Florida Vaccine Process

While Florida seems to be like many states, the vaccine rollout has been inconsistent from county to county. During January, we were staying in Lake County. The county originally started with a first come/first served at the Clermont center, but the resulting traffic backup went for three miles and closed down the major backbone road US 27.

Then they tried a phone call in line with a similar result. I’ll give them credit for trying new methods, but the demand was just too great.

It was still in the first week of January that I found out about the Orlando Health network using a website for signing up. This was very easy. Just enter your personal data and the let the site assign you the next available date/time. Done! I booked both the first and second dose at the same time.

The first dose was on Jan 15th and second on Feb 12th. Four weeks apart.

My Experience with Second Dose

My appointment time was 9:30am on a Friday and the medical facility was in Winter Haven, an hour and a half from our current location. So, it was an early morning and then on the road by 7:30.

The Orlando Health facility earns some high praises from me for their organization and friendliness. I had my shot at 10 minutes after checking in. Then it was over to a well spaced waiting room to wait for 15 minutes to ensure of no adverse reaction.

They even provided a drink and a snack and a lady made the rounds checking in with each person. Very nice.

I was back on the road at 10am, but had to make a quick stop at a Dunkin Donuts for fresh donut and a latte for the long drive back home.

It was about 9pm that evening that I developed a headache and general all over achy symptoms. And my left arm where the shot was administered was very sore. Turned in by 10pm and did not sleep much as I could not get comfortable.

By 3am, I was hurting all over. Even my hair and eardrums seemed to ache. I did not take my temperature, but assume had some low fever. I also took an Advil at 3am and watched a couple of classic movies until daybreak.

By mid-morning (24 hours later) most all the symptoms were gone except for a headache and overall tired feeling. Got something to eat and a shower then napped for a couple of hours. Later that evening I was mostly back to like new again.

By the 48 hour mark, all symptoms had resolved themselves. So there you have it. Find a network in your state to get registered for the vaccine. That may take some work in itself. Drive an hour or so if you have to. And plan to rest/veg out for 48 hours.

Now I’m five days after Vax and wondering just how much back to normal I can get. My dear wife always reminds me that I never was normal. So you have that.

Wrap Up

Pat and I are into our third week at Williston Crossing RV Resort. It is a very nice place, well maintained, and many activities. This one month stay was to be a trial period to see if we would like to spend six months over a winter at some point. It is possible. Currently, we are planning on the Rio Grande Valley in Texas next year.

Thanks to everyone for the many birthday well wishes yesterday. Pat and I had a very nice day. She made a french toast breakfast and then we took some walks around the park. Then it was a lunch at the local Williston Ivy House. Another year older and almost four years after retirement. How time flies by!

This major winter storm even caught us here in North Central Florida on Monday night with a severe thunderstorm, high wind, some constant lightening, and heavy rain. The worst was over in about 45 minutes. The temps went from the 80’s to the upper 60’s on Tuesday. Quite the shock down here!

Take care and God Bless.