I felt lousy after my first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine

I woke up feeling uncomfortably cold around 2 a.m. I adjusted my blanket and attempted to warm myself up. After a few minutes of wrestling with my blankets, I stumbled out of bed to grab a comforter from my bedroom closet.

Chills are one of the side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine, according to the information sheet from Alberta Health Services. As the hours passed, I became even more familiar with the possible side effects of the vaccine: fever, achy muscles and fatigue.

I received my first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the AHS clinic in the Telus Convention Centre in downtown Calgary on Thursday afternoon. I felt fine when I turned in that night. Friends warned me that if I were to incur any side effects they would emerge some seven or eight hours later. So I wasn’t overly surprised to wake up feeling less than my usual healthy self.

I did my usual morning routine of yoga, coffee and breakfast before I sat down at my computer. Fridays are a short day for me so I only had to make it through six hours. My plan was to take it very easy. Work passed slowly as I began to feel more out of it.

After I work I made a quick trip to the store to pick up some necessities before I settled on the couch for the rest of the day. Side effects continued to pop up throughout the afternoon. My neck was sore. My back was sore. I had a fever. I had absolutely no energy. Part of me just wanted to take a Friday nap and not wake up until Saturday morning. But I held on strong until 8 p.m. before I went to bed.

I almost never get sick so all these aches and pains and such were all new to me. I can’t even remember the last time I had a high fever. The last time I had a vaccine (tetanus shot) was in 2015. I am positive I had no side effects. My plans to run a loop in Kananaskis on Saturday were pushed to Sunday because I wasn’t sure how I would feel the next day. Thankfully I woke up feeling much better. I still felt a little groggy but nothing like the day before.

Voodoo theories and anti-vaxxers

A friend heard a theory that only those who have had COVID incur side effects. While another said the side effects indicate that the vaccine is doing its job. I understand that vaccines work to train your immune system to recognize and fight threats. Side effects to any drug or vaccine are normal. Have you ever seen the long list of side effects on drug commercials? I had to chuckle when the nurse read over the long list of rare side effects.

Infectious diseases physician Dr. Karina Top told Macleans that “It’s a sign that the immune system is getting revved up, responding to the vaccine and triggering a response so that they will be immune to the virus that causes COVID when and if they are exposed in the future.” Read the full article here.

I am eligible to receive my second dose of the vaccine in 16 weeks. AHS will call me and book an appointment.

Truthfully I had a sense of elation after receiving my first dose of the vaccine. I just want this pandemic nightmare to end. That night I felt really good then I listened to the update from our provincial government. Alberta recorded its highest number of new cases since the pandemic began a year ago, and since Thursday, the daily number has climbed even higher. Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton and other communities are considered “hot spots.” So we now have tougher restrictions that other non-hotspot locations.

How are we ever going to get out of this? I am not sure I have much faith left in my fellow mankind to do the right thing: follow the safety protocols, adhere to the restrictions, wear a mask and get the vaccine. I still hear so many people are “on the fence” about getting the vaccine or “waiting to see what happens.” I wanted to punch a few guys I know when I heard this come out of their mouths recently. The anti-health restriction sentiment is strong here in Alberta. You just have to look to Bowden for yesterday’s anti-lockdown rally. Don’t get me started on this display of ugliness and selfishness. Can Alberta do any better?

Enough already. Get the freaking vaccine.

Have you received at least one dose of the vaccine? Any side effects? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.