Two and Done

At least that's what we're hoping as there has talk about people possibly needing a booster vaccine at some future date.

But for now, we're done and within 2 weeks will be considered fully vaccinated. On Saturday, we received our second shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We're planning to visit family in RI for Easter weekend. It's been 16 months since we last met face-to-face, but who's counting? (we are!)

View from our car at Nashua high school vaccination site

But for now, we're done and within 2 weeks will be considered fully vaccinated. On Saturday, we received our 2nd shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We're planning to visit family in RI for Easter weekend. It's been 16 months since we last met face-to-face, but who's counting? (we are!)

Friends who are in our age group, but with later appointments, wanted to know how we felt afterwards, that night or on Sunday. We had read that the most common side effects were in the arm where the vaccine was administered. These could include pain, swelling, redness or soreness. And, side effects throughout the rest of the body could be flu-like symptoms (chills, tiredness, headache or fever) which would go away in a day or two. Several people we know experienced one or more of these symptoms, including a much younger daughter in PA.

What was our personal experience?

Nothing like we had read about. Grenville and myself both experienced soreness in the arm that received the injection. We were advised to keep well-hydrated, so we both drank a lot of water.

Honestly, we were really tired on Sunday not because of the vaccine, but having to set the clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time after already staying up late to catch binge watch Twilight Zone on Netflix. There's 4 complete seasons: season 1 (36), season 2 (20), season 3 (37) and season 5 (36) that totals 136 shows. All are in B&W with a run time of under 30 minutes. For some reason, there's no season 4 available (but this is the Twilight Zone).

In the past, we haven't experienced after-effects with vaccines for flu, pneumonia or shingles, even when two doses were needed. And, we had also heard that older adults fared better than younger.

As with the first shot, vaccinations were done outdoors in a high school parking lot. We received a vaccination card after that one and were asked several times to produce it, along with ID (driver's license was OK). Other than those requirements, nothing was needed and no paperwork to complete.

Moving forward and waiting our turn

The Vaccination Record Card we received last month was updated with the latest dose info and date. We made copies to keep in our wallets and the original will be saved in our medical files. We're also sending scanned images to our medical provider this week.

Completed vaccine card

NH is currently administering COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1. Ironically, on St Patrick's Day, this week the state is launching its own Vaccine and Immunization Network Interface (VINI). The new website will replace the federally run Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). State officials have said the state system is user-friendly and will be able to handle high amounts of web traffic. Something, many people have complained about with VAMS. Perhaps the new state system will be luckier for many.

Governor Chris Sununu says VINI will eliminate a major frustration with VAMS. Anyone who wanted to find an earlier vaccination appointment as vaccine shipments increased would have had to cancel a previously appointment first under VAMS. With VINI, a new appointment can be scheduled before an old one is canceled, easing concerns that someone could lose their appointment.

Lineup of cars was quite lengthy as we were leaving site

Our Saturday appointment was at 2:10 pm. We arrived at last 25 minutes early. The entire process took about 90 minutes. The waiting line didn't seem excessive when we arrived and we brought reading material. By the time we drove out of the parking lot, the line up was just about down to the traffic light intersection.

Last week, the NH governor announced that NH is lifting some of its coronavirus restrictions. Retail stores can once again operate at full capacity. Other restrictions being modified are for barber shops and salons  to allow walk-ins and waiting rooms, restaurants and bars  can have small bands and bar games. Domestic travelers will still be recommended to quarantine upon arriving in NH, but it's no longer required.

The mask mandate is not being lifted unlike in some other states.

Jersey barriers in downtown Nashua 2020

Meanwhile, downtownNashua restaurants are getting ready for another season of outdoor dining once again. The 2021 Outdoor Dining Season in Nashua is set to start today, March 15, and end on November 15,  2021. City officials have said that the Jersey barriers will begin going up this week. The city purchased the barriers last year and there's an initiative to have local artists paint them. That would be a welcome relief as they're certainly not eye-catching. A May 2020 post had complete information on their history.

Nashua joins other NH cities in bringing back outdoor dining with (quite literally) expanded on the street dining. Manchester, Concord, Derry, Portsmouth, Dover, Salem, Merrimack, Keene, Bedford, Exeter, Hanover, Lebanon, North Conway, Rochester and Peterborough are among communities that have already approved 2021 outdoor dining.

Homemade chicken soup and artisan bread, my COVID vaccine antidote

An after thought on our final COVID vaccination is that I prepared an antidote, in advance, because chicken soup cures everything (doesn't it). We enjoyed it with homemade bread last night before our season 1 Twilight Zone binge — only 3 more to go.