Getting our first vaccine shots

May 6, 2021

We didn’t waste time searching where we could go for our first Covid vaccine shots. There were many vaccination locations all over California and unlike in the beginning when people didn’t have any advanced information on whether they would get Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, this time, we could choose if we wanted Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson. I wanted Pfizer but the vaccination location closer to us had Moderna vaccines so we went for that. Oyen registered our names as soon as we’ve arrived on the eve of May 5.

After a year of waiting for science to come out with an effective vaccine, and after months of waiting for the vaccines to reach our Philippines shores, and after weeks of tense filled days hoping the vaccines land on our arms, we are finally here in America, getting what we feel like another lease on life. It feels like we are getting a chance of NOT dying from covid.

Unlike some people we know who drove for 3 hours to get vaccinated in February, vaccine sites are all over now. We were getting ours at Walmart. Yes, Walmart grocery!!! Our appointments were at 10:30 am, 10:45 am, 11 am respectively.

We were profoundly excited and grateful for this chance. It’s liberation day. As we waited for our turn to be vaccinated, I was overcome by emotions. My tears just flowed, from anticipation, relief, gratefulness.

This pandemic has changed our lives. We all tried to live, survive, continue our path forward in the midst of world chaos, sufferings, death, divisiveness, political squabbles, opportunism, treachery, financial uncertainties. Life will never be the same again. The face mask has replaced my lipstick and blush-on. I can’t breathe easy but at least it hides my battle-worn face.

My family and I are pro-vaxers. We put our trust in science. We are not blind followers. We don’t believe every Viber message, FB posts, articles. We use our best judgments to weigh things. We just have to trust that Pfizer and Moderna did their jobs to the best of their ability, knowledge, competence, without any hidden agenda and propaganda. It’s the same as when my kids were born. I just had to trust the pediatrician, Dra. Matilde Gonzales, that she knew what she was doing. When she gave me the schedules for Oyen’s and Nyke’s immunization, I followed. After every injection, they would have a slight fever (sinat) and a teaspoon of Tempra would relieve it.

We ordered Moderna vaccines too for all our employees but we don’t know when the vaccines are arriving. A good percentage of our staff are afraid to get vaccinated because of either lack of information, or having the wrong information.  Guys,  please grab your chance to get vaccines.  You want to protect  yourselves, your families, workmates, and our dear customers.

Let’s get this show on the road! It’s 10:30 am!!!