LAST week, I talked about getting the vaccine.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Me and 20,000 or so of my closest friends got vaccinated on that day, and since then many more have done the same.
Now, I have to admit, it wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops after getting my vaccine.
I went back to work feeling fine, went home feeling fine, went to bed feeling fine.
Then in the middle of the night I woke up.
I had a pounding headache, a fever and random chills.
And, that also meant fever dreams – where you’re half asleep but not really and having some strange dreams as a result.
It was not fun, and I was up every 20 minutes running to the kitchen to get a bottle of water.
Now, if you’ve had a vaccine of any sort before, you may have gone through this.
It wasn’t the first time this had happened for me personally, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say it won’t be the last.
Here’s the thing - the form I was handed as I walked out of ERH after my vaccine listed all these things as possible to happen in the first 48 hours.
I spoke to a few others who have had the vaccine in recent weeks, and many have had the same experiences.
Yes, it sucks, but it’s not uncommon.
When I woke up, I was mostly fine. I had a few aches and pains in muscles (again, that is common) and was feeling pretty tired.
Again, this is nothing unusual.
I wanted to write to you because this diary has been a real thing for me.
It’s how I have felt and what I have been thinking for the past year and a bit.
And I’m not going to tell lies.
The 48 hours after my vaccine were not an enjoyable time.
But I’m through that period now.
Do I regret getting jabbed? No.
Not even in the slightest, if I am being honest.
I was prepared to put up with whatever came as a result of the vaccine before I even got it.
I was prepared for this because I know it’s the right thing to do. It’s the healthy thing to do.
But you should know that by now.
Vaccination rates are climbing rapidly across the state. It seems as though the message has well and truly gotten through since this most recent outbreak about how prepared we need to be.
And I expect the numbers to continue to climb in the next few weeks, even when case numbers go down.
The message is as clear as it gets now.
Vaccines are the answer.
You might have a miserable few days after you get the jab, but you might not.
No-one can say from the outside what will happen.
What we can say is that you will be protecting the community.
I’m glad I did it, and so did many others.
It’s a bit of short term discomfort for a lot of long term gain.
So, if you can, get in and get that vaccine.
Isolation diaries
Isolation diaries part 27: that sweet medical juice
Isolation diaries part 26: A disturbance in the force
Isolation diaries part 25: Temptation, frustration
Isolation diaries part 24: Here we go again
Isolation diaries part 23: Goodbye, farewell and amen
Isolation diaries part 22: Across the river
Isolation diaries part 21: Step out, face the sunshine
Isolation diaries part 20: Border bonanza
Isolation diaries part 19: On the road again...soon
Isolation diaries part 18: This is home
Isolation diaries part 17: Cleaning up the mess
Isolation diaries part 16: This life-like dream
Isolation diaries part 15: And now we wait
Isolation diaries part 14: The end of the line
Isolation diaries part 13: It’s a beautiful day
Isolation diaries part 12: A road to somewhere, and a penguin parade
Isolation diaries part 11: Old friends, bookends
Isolation diaries part 10: Baby steps
Isolation diaries part nine: Homeward bound
Isolation diaries part eight: Hitting the books
Isolation diaries part seven: COVID-free, lockdown bound
Isolation diaries part six: A runny nose, a COVID-19 test
Isolation diaries part five: Greetings from Echuca
Isolation diaries part four: What a Tangled web I weave
Isolation diaries part three: Free as a curve-flattening bird
Sports journalist