With the Covid Vaccine now available to qualifying individuals, including those in the health care profession who are considered front-line essential workers, many TI therapists, directors and graduates are taking the opportunity to do their part to help build self protection from the virus and to help stop its spread.
That said, we would like to share two personal stories from the TI “family” who have recently received the vaccine. We hope their sharing, including doubts, concerns, success and relief, will be interesting and informative to others in the field and beyond who are considering (or will soon be) taking the vaccine.
“Being one of the first to be eligible to get the Covid vaccine came with a mixture of excitement, relief, and a massive side of guilt and apprehension. Why me? I can work from home and my elderly and ill mother, who is living in a memory center, hasn’t even gotten the vaccine yet. I considered passing on the opportunity and waiting until it was more appropriate and fair (I think most would agree this schedule was not). If I could have changed this schedule and put myself last I certainly would have; however, knowing that thousands of vaccines were expiring and being thrown out and that being vaccinated would lower the risk of spreading the virus to someone else, maybe even by just going to the grocery store (note: I always wear two masks and fill out a detailed shopping list beforehand to be as expedient as possible) I signed up. While I don’t agree with how the roll out has been managed, I do believe the best way forward is for as many people as possible becoming vaccinated. That said, I feel better knowing I’m contributing to protecting my neighbors and the larger community. I realize we have a long way to go in this fight against Covid, but having the vaccine available, and becoming vaccinated, has given me a great deal of emotional relief and hope (the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel) that things are moving in the right direction and we will once again return to a normal, vibrant life of community and connection.” - Karen Nelson, LCSW, TI Director of Training
I received two doses of the Moderna vaccine four weeks apart at Bellevue Hospital's COVID-19 vaccine clinic. My first appointment was in early January and took about 30 minutes. The only side effect I noticed was arm soreness. My second appointment took approximately two and a half hours because the clinic was significantly busier after eligibility was expanded. When I got home I took 500mg of Tylenol and had extra blankets on hand when I went to bed. I spent most of the next day on the couch due to strong fatigue and a low-grade intermittent headache. I experienced some body aches, but no short-term fever or chills. Also, I felt completely normal within 48 hours after receiving my second dose! - Martha Early, LCSW, TI Graduate