What to Wear to Get Your COVID Vaccine!
I received my second Moderna vaccine on Monday morning! I’m so grateful for all of the scientists and healthcare heroes that made the vaccine possible. I’m grateful that I was able to receive a vaccine and do my part to slow the spread of COVID! I’ve had so much anxiety about the pandemic; I definitely thought that by this point, one of my family members would have been seriously affected by it. I’m beyond thankful that the only people that tested positive in my immediate family were two of my brothers, and even though one brother was around my dad after he was exposed (but before he knew he had been exposed), my dad had been fully vaccinated…and the vaccine did its job because he never caught it! YAY VACCINES!!!
Post-Second Moderna Vaccine Side Effects
After receiving my second shot on Monday morning, my first noticeable side effect was a sore arm a few hours later. In comparison, my arm felt sore almost immediately after my first shot. Things were going fine until about 12 hours post-vaccine, when I started feeling full body aches. They progressed pretty quickly; I normally stay up pretty late but opted to shower and head to bed early (for me). Showering was not pleasant; the aches were getting worse and I was losing energy quickly. I was in bed just after midnight and was hoping I’d feel better by Tuesday morning.
I tossed and turned quite a bit overnight and was awoken by Korri’s early morning work alarm. I was pretty restless and opted to take at least the morning off of work so I could try to get some more sleep. I was so uncomfortable—swinging between too hot (sweating) and too cold (full chills) on top of the aches. It was the worst I’d felt in about three years; I had forgotten how awful it is to feel sick!
I took one Tylenol and went back to sleep for a few more hours. I woke up feeling a little better but still bleh. I didn’t have the energy to work and just laid on the couch for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I took a second Tylenol six hours after the first. I’m not sure that it helped but I like to think it did, ha! I’m now about 36 hours post-vaccine as I write this, and I’m still feeling a lack of energy but overall much better than I was last night. Fingers crossed I’m feeling fine by Wednesday morning!
All in all, I wish I would have hydrated even more. I read that drinking a ton of water/Gatorade can help minimize the side effects, and I don’t think I drank enough of either even though I tried. So, I definitely recommend hydrating yourself WELL!
All this aside, I’m still 100% happy I got the vaccine. I share this as a way to document it for myself and to show you the variability in side effects. My dad also got the Moderna vaccine and his post-second shot side effects were way milder than mine. I know people that had little to no side effects after their Pfizer and some that had worse side effects, so it just varies! Any side effects are likely to be way more tolerable than having COVID.
Be sure to get your second shot if you get Moderna or Pfizer! I’ll admit that I was hoping I’d only need the one because it’s pretty effective after one, but since it’s a two-dose series, ya gotta get the full series to be fully protected!
What to wear to get your COVID vaccine!
And, because this is primarily a style blog, I took outfit photos of what I wore to get my second COVID vaccine! It’s pretty simple: You should wear something that allows for easy shoulder access. After too many years of having to slip off something long-sleeved, like a tee or sweater, when getting flu shots, here’s what I’ve found works the best:
Cardigan + tank top
Button-up shirt + tank undershirt
Cold-shoulder tops*
* I do not own a cold-shoulder top because, honestly, I thought they were pretty useless. But after I saw Moderna queen Dolly Parton wear a cold-shoulder top to get her vaccine, I was in awe of the brilliance. Who would have thought they’d be useful for something?! Not me!
Of course, if it’s warm, you can opt for a tank top with no top layer (like if you attend an outdoor vaccine clinic). I’ve found that most doctor’s offices are pretty chilly, which is why I always have another layer! It was cold and drizzly outside when I got my second shot, hence the cozy cardigan, jeans, and (waterproof!) boots. I also had a rain coat with me. I wore a cardigan and tank with shorts to get my first shot; it was much warmer for that one!
It might seem silly, but I’m happy I documented this outfit/day! It feels like a moment in history. I encourage you all to get your COVID vaccine if you haven’t yet and are able; even though the side effects from the second shot were more of a doozy for me personally, they’re far more tolerable than having even a mild case of COVID. Plus, it’s worth it to protect your community and help us reach herd immunity!
Did you get your COVID vaccine yet? Which one did you get, and how were your side effects?
OUTFIT DETAILS
Barefoot Dreams cardigan / exact from Nordstrom or Saks Fifth Avenue
ABLE top / exact
Madewell jeans / exact (available in standard, petite, and tall sizes)
Blondo boots / exact style or similar (last seen here)
Madewell hat / old; exact from Poshmark (shop all Madewell hats)
Dior Lip Glow in pink / exact