My First COVID Vaccine Dose

Today, I was able to receive my first shot of the Novel Coronavirus vaccine, thanks to my grandson, Zach.

The vaccine is, theoretically, avalable to anyone 65 and over (which includes me, as I'll be turning 70 in a couple of weeks). I have received notifications from my doctor's office several times, now, with units of the vaccine. Except, when I call, it turns out all the units are spoken for. So I just continued being careful, clean and masked in public and kept my fingers crossed.

I knew that once of Zach's surfing buddies is a doctor. (It's Hawaii, remember.) So one day, when I was in Lahaina Doordashing, I wasn't completely flummoxed when I got a call from Zach telling me I could get my first dose of vaccine if I could meet his doctor friend at the Four Seasons Restaurant in Kihei by 6:30 PM. But I was pleasantly astounded.

Having been given his number by Zach, I called the guy when I arrived at the Four Seasons, which is actually a resort at which he has his office. But he wasn't in the office; he was having dinner and ran out to meet me in the lobby.

We then went to the back of his car, from which he took out the vial, a hyperdermic, and an alcohol pad. The jab was over with before I knew it. We hung around and talked for a few minutes, both to be socialble and hear nice things about my grandson, but also to satisfy the "watch for severe side effects" requirement.

Update

The only side effect I had—maybe was a sore arm the next day. I'm not sure, because after I had the shot I banged my shoulder on something and might have gotten a bruise from that. In any case, whatever side effect(s) I did get, weren't serious and passed without my noticing.

At the time, I thought I was receiving a spare dose. The vaccine comes in cases of ten doses, which arrive frozen. Once they are thawed, they must be administered within a rather narrow timeframe, or discarded. So I figured I was being given a dose that no one had requested, and so would be thrown out.

However, I later learned that Zach had actully paid for my shot out of his own pocket. I can't imagine a more thoughtful or practical gift for my upcoming birthday.