Side effect of vaccine? Euphoria

As is so often the case during this pandemic, it came down to a matter of chance.

Our kids had been bugging us to get vaccinated for COVID-19, but my wife and I had been holding off to allow for those more important — first responders and health care workers — and those who are older to get their shots.

We also have friends with ongoing health problems, including cancer survivors whose immune systems have been compromised.

So we held off.

But when Jay County Health Department announced that those 70 and older were now eligible, we didn’t have a valid excuse for not getting in line.

It was time to check it out. I went to the appropriate website and went through what was a simple process. I attested that I was over 70 and entered my date of birth. First time around, I was sent to a “waiting room” for about seven or eight minutes. Then I entered our zip code.

That sent me to a list of vaccination sites. Trouble is, at that point the Jay County Health Department site was booked. There were other possibilities: Decatur, Richmond, Anderson and others.

But we figured we’d just wait and try later.

That’s how it came to pass on a Friday morning a few weeks back that I logged on for a second try. I hadn’t had my coffee yet, but I was able to remember my date of birth and zip code.

This time around, two things were different. There was no “waiting room,” making the process faster. And when the list of vaccination sites came up, there was a new one: IU Health Jay.

I clicked on it, clicked next available date, and found myself with an appointment for Friday, Jan. 22, at noon. A few minutes later and my wife’s appointment at the hospital was set for 20 minutes after mine.

We did not know it at the time, but that Friday was only the second day the hospital was providing COVID-19 vaccinations. Our appointments so early in the process were purely a matter of chance. By that time, we knew of friends who had clocked some significant mileage to get their shots. And we knew of friends and family in other states who still didn’t know when — or if — the vaccine would be available to them.

Chance may have dictated the scheduling, but it had nothing to do with the process. That was a matter of precision and professionalism.

Not knowing what to expect, we both took books along with us. Would there be lines? Would there be delays? Who knew?

What we encountered was a well-oiled machine.

We were met in the hospital lobby where we were screened, given new disposable face masks and had a chance for another dose of hand sanitizer.

A hospital auxiliary volunteer then led us to the vaccination clinic, renewing a valued friendship and catching up on the news.

There was a further check-in process, though we’d registered additional information online. They checked and double-checked our phone numbers to make sure they could keep in touch via text.

Then it was on to the next station for a few more questions and another check of our contact information. Then the shot.

At the third station, we were walked to a waiting area and handed timers set for 15 minutes so that we could be observed for any reaction to the vaccine. At that point, for the first time, we were able to crack open our books and read for a few minutes.

Finally, with cards listing our appointments for the second shot and information on which vaccine we had received (Moderna), we completed the process, with one more check on our phone numbers.

We were back in the car and heading for home just about 40 minutes after our arrival at the hospital.

As I said, it was a matter of precision and professionalism.

That night, texting back and forth with my sister about the experience, she asked if we’d had any reaction to the vaccine.

Just one, I told her: “Euphoria.”