Covid-19 Vaccine Experiences

Alex: I did interviews with two deaf people who have received the full two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. Their names are David King and Jena White.

David King: Hello! I’m David King. I’m here in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Jena White: Hello. I’m Jena White. I’m from Kentucky.

Alex: I asked both the same four questions. The first was which vaccine they took and how they got an opportunity to get inoculated.

David King: On December 26, after Christmas, I got my first dose of the vaccine and then three weeks later I got the second dose. It worked well. I received the Pfizer vaccine. I work in a hospital, so there are a lot of people there who have Covid-19. As you know, people who work in hospitals are the first to get a vaccine. That’s why I got a vaccine already.

Jena White: I got the Moderna vaccine. I work at a state lab here, so I’m considered a health care employee. On December 30 or 29, right after Christmas, they emailed us letting us know that vaccines were available for employees so I signed up for it and got a Moderna vaccine. The first one was right before New Year’s Eve, and I got the second dose two days ago.

Alex: I asked what the vaccination experience was like and whether they got side effects.

David King: For example, I’ve had vaccines for TB, the flu, and other things. The Covid-19 vaccine itself is really the same thing. There’s no difference. The only thing is that after you get the vaccine, you’re required to sit under supervision for fifteen minutes to see if you’re good. If so, then you can go. That’s it, while for the flu shot you don’t have to wait fifteen minutes. That’s the only difference. I didn’t have any side effects. After the second dose, I had a little bit of soreness on my arm but they already warned us about possible soreness in the area where the vaccine went in. For me, I didn’t get any other side effects. For other staff I asked, they said they experienced some pain where they received the vaccine for a short time.

Jena White: With normal flu shots or yearly vaccines - well, not yearly, but the vaccines young kids have to get to go to school - the only difference with this one is that it’s done in your car. That’s all. It feels the same as other vaccines. My reaction to other vaccines was always a bit of soreness on my arm, because the DTaP is a big one. It feels the same. That’s all, really.

Alex: I asked whether they feel “stronger” or “safer.”

David King: I still have to be careful. The reason for that is because, first, I have diabetes. I have high blood pressure, too. Plus I have a pacemaker, so technically I must be careful no matter what.

Jena White: My feelings after the vaccine were both psychological and physical. Psychologically, I live next to my dad. I live next to both of my parents, really, but my dad has a neurological disease - Parkinson’s, plus he’s 71 years old now. I was a little concerned. He did make some comments at the beginning that worried me a bit and I feel responsible to stay healthy for him. I love and care for him, so I feel more pressure to stay healthy.

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Alex: I asked them to share their thoughts.

David King: I work at one of the three best hospitals in the U.S. and many doctors, nurses, and others encourage us to get vaccinated. Most of us who work in the hospital have gotten vaccinated, so that means it’s obviously safe. You have to trust your doctor, really.

Jena White: Really, the number one thought about why vaccines are important is herd immunity. We must have herd immunity. We have many people here who don’t have the ability to get the vaccine. Right now, kids can’t have it. But schools are closed. Schools need to open again. We need to get vaccinated so that kids can go to school and so people can go back to work. Right now I’m not working because my kids are at home and I’m stuck at home with them. What can I do? I’ve been at home ever since. And many people are sick with weak immune systems, cancer, and so many more, so we need to prioritize herd immunity as it’s the most important thing for us to have. There are many other reasons, but that’s my biggest concern - herd immunity.

Alex: Thank you, David and Jena for your time and being willing to be open about your experiences!