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Like many of you, I eagerly awaited the day when my turn came to receive the COVID vaccination. I found the cases of severe illnesses and deaths from COVID-19 frightening. And, since my job involves working with large numbers of people in the community, I knew I was at increased risk.
The day after my Moderna vaccination, I felt exhausted, and my temperature went up to 100.2. But the side effects only lasted a day, and I considered the discomfort well worth the COVID protection I received.
As per protocol, the pharmacy scheduled my second COVID vaccination for four weeks after the first one. But then my world tumbled down around me, and I learned I have cancer.
I was told my treatment would include chemotherapy, and I ended up needing to have a chemo port inserted on the same day they scheduled my second shot. So I had to cancel my vaccination.
Unfortunately, when I tried to reschedule, the pharmacy was no longer giving the Moderna vaccine. They had switched over to the Johnson & Johnson brand.
Getting a second vaccination went on the back burner as I started my chemotherapy journey. Finally, with my oncologist’s blessing, I got the go-ahead to schedule my second shot.
Now the challenge became finding a place that was still administering the Moderna vaccine. A call to our local public health department referred me to a website called Vaccines.gov, which I highly recommend if you’re still in need of a COVID vaccination. By simply entering your zip code, you can see a current list of nearby facilities that are administering each of the three major brands of the vaccine.
Fortunately, a clinic just three miles from my home is giving the Moderna vaccine, and I easily made an appointment.
I’ll admit I felt nervous about receiving my second vaccination. A few acquaintances experienced a variety of unpleasant side effects from their second Moderna vaccine. And I wondered if my response to the vaccine would be worse now that I’m on chemotherapy.
For two days after receiving the vaccination, I’ll admit to feeling crummy. My symptoms included a low-grade fever, chills, nausea, and a very sore arm. But the symptoms eventually subsided, and I even enjoyed a simple birthday celebration with my immediate family.
So, do I regret receiving the COVID vaccinations? Absolutely not! I know my symptoms simply mean my body was triggering my immune system to fight off COVID.
My experience got me thinking about four important points to consider when addressing COVID vaccines and your residents, especially those who experience immune-compromising conditions:
1. Thank you
I’m so grateful to the people around me who chose to receive the COVID vaccination. Not only do they protect themselves from this deadly disease, but they also help protect people like me with impaired immune systems.
I also want to give a big shout-out to the healthcare workers who stepped up to the plate and received the COVID vaccination to protect your nursing home residents. These vaccinations came from an uncharted territory, yet you laid your fears aside to protect the residents you love.
2. Be accurate
Most nursing home residents already received their COVID vaccinations over the past several months. However, as new residents arrive, they or their families may have questions.
Please use only accurate sources when sharing information about COVID and vaccines. Considering the information overload a new resident experiences, they don’t need to hear unsubstantiated horror stories.
My favorite go-to website for accurate and up-to-date information on COVID is the Centers for Disease Control. You can also find excellent information on the National Institutes of Health website.
3. We’re all unique
Everyone experiences an immune-compromising illness differently. Because the COVID vaccination was right for me as a cancer patient doesn’t mean it’s right for someone else.
Be sure immune-compromised residents discuss the pros and cons of a COVID vaccine with their medical provider. They also may wish to adjust the timing of vaccinations based on the resident’s treatment schedule.
4. Please don’t bend the rules
Excitement is spreading across the country as COVID restrictions gradually lift. As people return to their normal lives, it’s easy to become lax about protecting other people, including our immune-compromised residents.
My nurse educator gave me an extensive list of rules to follow during cancer treatment to protect myself from infections. I’m not even allowed to clean my cat’s litter box!
Remember that immune-compromised people need to continue following strict rules to protect themselves from a litany of other infections besides COVID. Please respect their need to wear masks, stay away from groups, and practice meticulous hand hygiene.
Don’t let your guard down when protecting your residents with compromised immune systems. You just might save someone’s life!
What advice can you add? Please share in the comment section!
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