I got my first Moderna vaccine yesterday, with no ill effects so far, other than a sore muscle at the injection site. I was prepared, that there might be more discomfort, but I'd rather have that on my own terms, than to get the virus, and be terribly sick.
I took tylenol after, as a pre-emptive strike against any soreness, but tylenol always makes me drowsy. Once I shook that off (a couple of hours), I was fine. I've pretty much felt euphoric, which was a revelation to me, how deeply I've carried around fear and worry of this virus, for more than a year now.
My plan was always to take whatever vaccine was available, but TBH, the J&J would have been my first choice. It's supposed to be the safest for people with asthma and life-threatening allergies. My mom has a long medical history of thalassemia, life-threatening bad food allergies, and she has been on thyroid-replacement for 35+ years. Her doctor flat-out told her to wait until she can get the J&J.
My BF got his first Moderna last week, and his arm was very sore, but was gone within a day.
Several friends and my dad had the Pfizer, with no lasting effects (I keep track of this by the number of Viagra jokes I've had to listen to). @Suntiger: my dad did have a weird 15 minutes, where he fell asleep on the couch, woke up, and his face look and felt sun- or wind-burned. After 15 minutes, it all went away, and he's been fine, walking and swimming every day. He gets his second shot today.
At the end of the day, I'm very grateful I was able to get the vaccine! My next one is already scheduled in four weeks.
I still plan to wear a mask, avoid large gatherings, and unnecessary physical contact, for reasons of potential new COVID variants, and simply as a courtesy to people around me.
