Booster shot thoughts

My manager and a guy on our team who doesn't do a lot are well over fifty years of age. They are able to book booster shots.

The problem is that they are difficult to book. My manager has an appointment at my local drugstore. He doesn't live near me. His appointment is December 27. The other guy has his on New Year's Eve.

Considering that the province has opened up the appointment floodgates to folks eighteen years of age and older as of next Monday, I doubt that I'll get an appointment until mid- to late-January, if I'm lucky. I don't think that the system is ready for a large number of folks wanting to get booster shots.

Today is my last workday before I go on vacation. I am cautiously optimistic about travelling. My hope is that this advisory causes many to not travel. For folks like me who are taking a risk, but will play it safe while in the States, I hope that it's not too busy.

Sore arm observations and patio dining

What's different after my second vaccination shot is the duration of my sore arm. It's longer.

I've been told that it's a good thing. It doesn't bother me until I touch it.

I'm meeting a friend at a patio for dinner later on today. I haven't been on a patio since last October. I haven't dined out since March of this year, just before our third lockdown had started.

I am so looking forward to patio dining.

Seeing and chatting with my neighbours on Father's Day weekend

I haven't talked to my neighbours in over a year. I had the nicest chat in front of our houses on Saturday.

I was taking my groceries and takeout from my car onto the steps of my house. The woman next door waved at me. It was nice seeing a human being and chatting with one.

We both didn't have masks on. We were definitely far apart that it was safe being outdoors. Her husband and daughter came out of their house to chat.

I was thrilled to chat and see them again. Her husband has long hair. It was wavy and looked nice.

The daughter got her first vaccine shot earlier in the day. We all have our first shots. I get my second shot on Monday. The husband and wife get their second ones in August.

It bought me great joy that they are doing well. They were going out for a Father's Day dinner. We are allowed to dine out on patios.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Friday and second shot side effects

One more workday to go. Yay!

Friends and colleagues who have received their second vaccination shot seem to have mixed side effects Some experience a sore arm. Others have chills, aches, and fatigue.

I am not sure what will happen with me. In general, my track record seems to be positive after a vaccination shot. It's so unpredictable with the COVID-19 ones that I don't know for sure.

I am also doing a mix of vaccines. We'll see how all that goes.

Rescheduling my second vaccine shots - lots of effort!

I got my first COVID-19 vaccine shot in late April. My second one was scheduled for mid-August. In Canada, the guideline was twelve weeks between shots.

Recently, it was deemed safe to schedule shots eight weeks in advance. I got the first available shot, which was AstraZeneca. It has also been deemed safe to mix vaccines, so I can do Moderna or Pfizer. I also have the choice to get AstraZeneca again.

The problem is the Ontario Health site to schedule a second shot. After numerous attempts and rejections on Monday, I got an appointment for July 10 in Orillia. To put that distance into perspective, it's roughly 80 km from where I live, which would take over an hour to drive over there on a couple of highways.

Yesterday, I decided to see if I could get something sooner. I got July 6 in Alliston, which is slightly closer to me than Orillia.

The folks at Vaccine Hunters Canada are awesome. I saw a post that said that a clinic in Brampton had Moderna shots and there were no regional restrictions. Brampton is roughly 54 km or a 35-minute drive from where I live.

I now have an appointment for my second shot next Monday. I am taking a half day off. I feel relieved. It has been an effort to get to this stage.

Vaccine and an early meeting

On Monday afternoon, my friend shared the news with me that she got her COVID-19 vaccine. I was so happy for her. It lifted her spirits up.

I was thrilled that she reached out to me. We had talked about my experience last week when she asked me how I felt after getting my shot.

It was great news to the start of the workweek.

I'm off to bed soon. I have a 7 am meeting that occurs every five months. It's that four-hour meeting that it way too long.

Got my first vaccine shot!

I am thankful for getting my first COVID-19 vaccine shot on Friday. Everything went well.

The clinic was at a hockey arena. I haven't stepped foot into one for over a year. It was nice.

Everyone at this arena was helpful, kind, and wonderful. The medical doctor who administered my vaccine shot was so great, explaining what will happen and what symptoms I could feel afterwards. I

 have no soreness in my arm right now. I did have a dull, mild headache. It has since disappeared.

It was a well-organized clinic. My second shot is in August. I took half a day off to get the shot on Friday and will take the other half day then. It's not like I have places to go with my vacation days, so I'm okay taking time off to relax, even if it's getting a vaccination and driving for an hour to get to the clinic.

First vaccine shot today

I am getting my first vaccine shot in a few hours. I have to travel to the opposite side of the region in which I reside. I don't mind the drive, but it'll take me an hour getting over there. 

I decided to take the afternoon off as half a vacation day. My second shot happens in August.

I am happy that I got an appointment.

Flu shot and interviews

Yesterday, I got a phone call to get my flu shot. The call came in while I was conducting an interview with my manager. I actually had to tell the guy from the drugstore that I needed to call him back and that it was a bad time for me to talk to him.

Yesterday was a crazy day. I have a bunch of documentation updates to make on top of having three interviews with candidates for one intern position. It means that I am likely conducting training in early January.

My arm that got the flu shot is sore right now. Other than that, it went smoothly.

Flu shot, dentist, and Somebody Feed Phil

On Saturday, I'm getting my flu shot at my local drugstore. During this pandemic, you must book an appointment online for your flu shot. In the past, you could just walk in.

In a couple of weeks, I have a dental appointment. I haven't been there for a year. I was supposed to have my appointment in June, but it was rescheduled, as it needed to prepare its safety protocols. We'll see what happens.

It's the weekend. I am currently watching new episodes of Somebody Feed Phil. I enjoy it.