Covid-Vaccinated Students Share Their Experiences
Many students who have gotten the vaccine were motivated by the desire to visit their family and friends this summer, and to return to school as normal in the fall.
By KERRY LEE, KATHERINE MOROCHO, and KATHERINE TRAN
This April, the CDC declared that anyone 16 years of age and older can safely get the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, and in May, they extended that recommendation to the 12-15 year-old age group. Since then, over 600,000 American teens, including many Midwood students, have been vaccinated.
Most students received the vaccine at their local pharmacies, such as Walgreens and Rite Aid, which made the process relatively quick and convenient. Other students received their vaccine at Medgar Evers College and other newly set-up vaccination sites. Appointments can be made online, but lots of places are also open for walk-ins.
Many students who have gotten the vaccine were motivated by the desire to visit their family and friends this summer, and to return to school as normal in the fall.
Victor Delgado ‘22 waits for his second shot of the Pfizer vaccine at Walgreens. Photo: Victor Delgado
“Seeing my family and friends is something I haven’t done in a long time,” said Stephanie Won, a junior. “I am so grateful to be getting the vaccine because I now have the privilege of having human contact.”
The effectiveness of the three main vaccines is similar, with Pfizer having 95% efficacy, Moderna with 94%, and Johnson & Johnson with 72%. The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines require two shots, 3-4 weeks apart. The viral vector Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one shot.
Currently, only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for teens, but trials with the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson jabs are underway.
Won got the Pfizer vaccine at a center in Crown Heights by making an appointment online. “I felt nervous,” she said, “not because of the shot, but because of the side effects. I read that the side effects [of the second dose] are supposed to be worse for women and young people.”
After her first dose, her side effects weren’t that bad, Won said, only some soreness like a “punch in the arm.” And in the end, she felt better after her second dose than after her first.
Many students told us they did experience side effects after getting the vaccine, but nothing too serious. According to the World Health Organization, the most common side effects are fatigue, fever, headaches, body aches, chills, nausea, diarrhea, and pain at the site of injection.
Zainab Mahmood ‘22 had been looking forward to getting vaccinated and was excited to get it.
“I got a tingling sensation, but nothing hurt at that moment,” she said. Mahmood experienced pain on the left side of her arm when she got home and did not feel comfortable later that night. “I got a huge headache, but it was easily fixed with an Ibuprofen. I literally felt so groggy and out of it.”
“It went fast, I was in and out, right then and there,” Angelina Chiu ‘22 said. Chiu did not feel any severe symptoms, but she had a headache and bruised arm for two days. “I made sure to use my arm so it wouldn’t tense up,” she added.
Kitty Chan ‘22, who got vaccinated at Medgar Evers College, is scared of needles, but said the shot only “felt like a little pinch.”
“I had arm soreness and a slight fever,” after the first dose, she said, “but the side effects went away after a day of rest.” For her second dose, Chan did the “Windmill” TikTok trend where you swing your arm in circles after you get your vaccine to reduce soreness. “It seemed to work!” she said.
Lien Garcia, a sophomore, got the vaccine at Maimonides Medical Center. Garcia entered the building feeling energetic. “After the vaccine, I had a headache and was a little dizzy,” Garcia said. “My arm started to feel tingly like when your limbs fall asleep.”
Earlier in the vaccination drive, waits were longer. Matthew Liang ‘22 said he had to wait about an hour or so. Since then, accessibility has become easier.
Like many people, Liang had suspicions about the vaccine when it was first released, due to how it’s been politicized.
Vaccination cards can get you free fries at Shake Shack, a ride on the Cyclone, a Citibike pass, and more perks. Photo: Ethan Chen
“It’s more of a loss of trust in the government,” he said. “When science and politics mix, it usually ends up poorly.” However, this did not stop him from getting vaccinated, and he felt relieved afterwards. He feels “less anxious” now, he said.
Some students believe that the vaccine was released too early. “It typically takes over ten years to create and certify a vaccine to determine if it's safe enough to be distributed,” Judy Huang ‘21 said. “But the Covid-19 vaccines were getting distributed in a little over a year. It made me feel uncertain about taking it.”
But after seeing many others take it, Huang decided to get vaccinated as well. When asked if her views had changed, she said, “At least it gives comfort knowing that you have some sort of protection against the virus.”
According to the New York Times, long-term effects from the vaccine are highly unlikely. While it has not yet been possible to conduct long-term research on lasting side effects, “we don’t expect any,” said Dr. Kristin Oliver, a pediatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
Most students who got the vaccine recommended it to others and explained that they now feel safer.
“I am very happy that so many people are already getting the vaccine because it will help us lessen the severity of the pandemic and less people will get fatally ill,” Kalin Yuen ‘21 said.
Hei Lai Lam ‘21 believes that the vaccine is “a good choice for those who want to travel,” but said people should take the vaccine after weighing the pros and cons and doing research.
Many students see the Covid vaccine as the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I would 100% recommend it because everyone needs to work together in order to fight this pandemic!” Ivy Tran ‘21 said.
“I think it’s you doing your part in your community,” Regina Hoxha ‘22 said. “I am excited for things to start opening up.”
As of June 12, about half of New York State is fully vaccinated. “I think that getting the vaccine as soon as possible is a great way for us to return to normalcy,” said Chan.
You can find locations offering the vaccine near you and make an appointment at this link. When you arrive, make sure to bring ID, your CDMS Registration Ticket, and your insurance, if you have any.