CVS Flu Vaccine

We got the latest Covid vaccine a little over two weeks ago at the CVS a couple of miles away. Our neighborhood CVS didn’t have them available yet. I didn’t want to get both the Covid and flu vaccines at the same time so I made an appointment for the flu shot on the CVS app for this week for both my husband and myself. This one was scheduled for the CVS that is just a couple of blocks away. I am still amazed at how easy it is to make these appointments and also have a record of all of these immunizations on line. We had a bit of a reaction to the Covid vaccine that lasted a couple of days. The flu shot was almost negligible. The person who administered the shot was the best too. This time we were both rewarded with the “I got my flu shot” sticker, a coupon for five dollars off of a twenty dollar purchase good through December, and a seven day plastic medication container that has already come in handy for my husband who is recently adjusting to two more prescriptions. It’s a nice way to get things organized. I can’t believe how many Covid, flu, RSV, pneumonia and shingles vaccinations our poor arms have gotten over the last few years. In the end it’s all worth it and it puts our minds at rest - for the next few months. 

Another Covid Booster

Aren’t we lucky to be in the “over 65 category?” All told we have had about eight Covid vaccines and boosters. As far as we can tell, neither my husband nor I have ever had Covid - an unusual circumstance based on what we hear from our friends and neighbors. And many have contracted it in the last six months. So, wanting to continue our winning streak, we thought it would be a good idea to get another booster since our last vaccine was in September 2023. And since we will be venturing out to visit family later this month it’s always a good thing to be prepared - especially around a college aged grandson. So we picked up the required paperwork when we went grocery shopping on Tuesday and walked over to Giant yesterday. It wasn’t very busy at the pharmacy, but we needed to wait 45 minutes for them to get things prepared. We picked up a couple of groceries and then we took our morning walk in the neighborhood there. The time passed quickly and when we went back to the counter everything was ready. We know the process all too well by now. Obviously a lot of people don’t care any more about Covid, but the CDC recommendations came out recently. And being in health care all of our careers and also being in the “danger category” were reason enough to get it done. So now we have sore arms and are a bit fatigued. But it still beats the alternative based on the stories we hear. 

CVS Flu Vaccine

My poor arm has been stuck so many times in the last two years. Five Covid shots and boosters - the last one was in September for the combo omicron/original. We didn’t get the flu shot at the same time because getting the flu shot in October is a better idea. Hearing about the widespread flu possibility was one reason, but we have been getting flu shots for as long as I can remember. Working in health care had something to do with that. But the Library of Congress also offered the flu shots when I worked there. Since I retired we have been getting the flu shots at Giant along with grocery shopping. We filled out the forms beforehand. But when we brought them in this week there wasn’t enough staff to do it. So we decided to schedule the shot with CVS. We had just done the same with the Covid booster and it was pretty seamless. So we scheduled the shot for yesterday afternoon. The communication via email and text is great; I was able to schedule both my husband and myself together, and all of the required paperwork is filled in on line. You get a reminder to show up, let them know when you arrived in store via text, and we were taken care of immediately. And as a bonus we got two five dollar off coupons. I am surprised that our arms aren’t as sore - it’s nothing compared to the Covid shots. We even slept better than usual last night. Anyway, the systems are set up now to make things so much easier. I could set up an account on the giant pharmacy app, but our insurance prefers that we use CVS anyway. I’m just glad we are through with shots now - at least for the next few months. 

COVID Bivalent Vaccine

We checked at Giant to see if the Covid Bivalent vaccine was available on Labor Day. They said to check back again in a week or two. But we asked for  the paperwork to fill in so we wouldn’t have to take time to do it there and then we could bring it with us to save time. Then we went to CVS and were told the vaccines would be available starting on Tuesday, and to make an appointment. It all started pretty smoothly. When we got home I made appointments for both my husband and myself for today at 12:15. All of the required information was filled in on line. We got emails and texts confirming the time and place along with some pre visit materials to read. We got another reminder text today and another one that took us to a link to say we were in the store. Then went to the pharmacy desk to check in. So far to good. Then we got in the vaccine line - and waited for thirty minutes, and the line was getting longer and longer behind us. It was all very confusing and very slow. The person giving the vaccines was obviously retired and moved like a tortoise. He took temperatures on some and never changed gloves. We did not sign up for the flu shot too, but many people did making it all the more time consuming. He was walking back and forth - the screen that shielded the people fell over once. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. He also had to make new Covid cards for us because there was no space to add any additional information. My husband went first and then I followed. This is the first time I got Moderna and hopefully we will both be fine. Now I think we will use the Giant paperwork that we thought we would use for the Covid vaccine for the flu shots. The process at Giant works better for us. We drop off the paperwork, do our grocery shopping, then check to see when our number is up. If we are lucky enough we could get taken care of as soon as we register if there isn’t a crowd. This vaccine usually wipes my husband out. I don’t see why this one won’t do the same. As for me? The sore arm is the worst. I’m just glad we got it over with. Now that makes for FIVE vaccines that we have had since the first ones came out, but we will feel better visiting with our grandson at the University in a couple of weeks. We have kept very low profiles over the last three years. Maybe now we can start living our lives. 

Flu Shot Time of Year

It’s that time of year again. We have been getting flu shots every year for as long as we can remember. I had to have them for working in health care for thirty years. And when I worked at the Library of Congress, they were offered at work. So it was very convenient. Before we moved to northern Virginia from Capitol Hill we would get my husband’s flu shot at CVS, then Safeway, then Giant. Now we both get them at Giant now that we are both retired. Since both of us are due for booster covid vaccines, we thought it might be better to get the flu vaccine first. And that’s what we did today. We usually go grocery shopping on Thursday, and depending on how long the line was at the pharmacy would dictate if we would get the flu shot today. It was not busy, so we filled in the three page paper work, got a number, did some shopping, saw our number pop up, went back to the pharmacy line that was now getting a bit congested, and headed to the area where the shots were administered. I opted for my right arm today because I like to sleep on my left side. We asked if we needed to make appointments for covid boosters and she said no. She offered to give us the paperwork to fill in before we came in again and we took it. I asked if there was a better time to come - she said earlier in the morning. We know that Pfizer approved boosters for me, but Moderna hasn’t commented yet in my husband’s case. But she said people are coming in regardless. So we will fill in the paperwork and return soon. I think you can get both vaccines at once but I’d rather wait. I’m sure the covid vaccine will eventually be mixed with the flu vaccine and hopefully things may start to resume some normalcy. I’m not holding my breath but am sure wishing it happens sooner than later. Just imagine not having to pay a dime for this convenience. 

It’s Done - Fairfax County Health Department Second Covid Vaccine

I have to admit that I was anxious whenever I heard my Florida high school classmates and Wisconsin friends were all getting vaccinated for covid. My husband got his first vaccine in January. I registered with the Fairfax county health department on January 18 and received my first Pfizer vaccine on Valentine’s Day - two days after my husband received his second Moderna dose. So yesterday was the long awaited second dose day and we didn’t have to deal with an ice storm this time. The parking lot was full, but everything was in motion. As we pulled in to our spot I received the text message to let them know we were in the parking lot. Shortly thereafter we were asked to enter the building. As was with the first dose, the process was seamless - except this time we needed to wait in line for a very short time. It felt like being in the queue at Disneyworld that included that same excitement. The whole experience was very pleasant from start to finish. All of the staff make you feel most welcome and are extremely kind. Since we haven’t interacted with anyone for a year it does feel weird just being inside of a building. Everyone was so polite and warm. After waiting for the 15 minutes following the injection, we drove back home. The most difficult part this time was the unexpected traffic on a Sunday afternoon for a 4:45 appointment and the fact that my arm is sore at the injection site. I’m expecting side effects but so far so good. I am filling in the “v-safe” questionnaire every day. So in two weeks an immunity milestone will be met. I’m not sure how much it will change our behavior, but I am so relieved and thankful that my husband and I had this opportunity. 

Fairfax County Second Covid Vaccine Appointment

I got my first covid vaccine on Valentine’s Day. I had registered for the vaccine on January 18th and the “invitation” to schedule came just a few days before the scheduled time. We had to drive to the Fairfax county government center - but it hardly mattered as long as I would get it. The process from start to finish was seamless, and it was even a “happy” occasion. I was thrilled to have the opportunity that so many others are still waiting for. My husband got both of his Moderna vaccines through Virginia Hospital Center using our patient portal to schedule and then was rescheduled the same day he got his first vaccine. For me, I would have to wait until a second “invitation” came and was hoping it would work as smoothly as the first. After hearing so many horror stories on the news and such, I never felt quite confident. On Saturday the “invitation” email arrived and I jumped right on it. I selected the 2 PM time slot, and by the time I submitted the request it didn’t go through because the time was already filled. So I tried again at the 5 PM time slot and it went through, and I could finally breathe again. Next came the “request acknowledged”email, followed shortly thereafter with the “scheduled appointment” email. So I am set for this Sunday at 5 PM - almost a year exactly from the date we started our hibernation on March 13th of last year. I’m hopeful there will not be a threat of an ice storm like the last time. Yesterday afternoon we had our monthly cousins zoom get together and everyone was so looking forward to spring. If nothing else we all feel psychologically uplifted from getting the vaccine, and happy that winter - and the confinement - will soon be behind us. 

Fairfax County Covid Vaccines

Finally! On Sunday I had my first covid vaccine, and I was ecstatic about it. My husband just received his second vaccine two days before and was feeling some of the side effects from it - mostly achy muscles and tired. He got his vaccine through the Virginia Hospital Center and was in a different age group. I got on the Fairfax County wait list around January 18, and waited impatiently for the email appointment “invitation” that arrived a couple of weeks after that. Luckily the weather cooperated in spite of the snow, ice and sleet. It would have been disappointing to have the visit cancelled. The entire process from start to finish was seamless in spite of the huge crowd. The worst part was the drive to the Fairfax government center as we had never been there before. But once we were in the parking lot it was unbelievable. The logistics could not have been better thought out. In the parking lot you wait until they notify you via text based on your appointment time, then you sign in, then they contact you when it is time to enter the building. From there you show the text message, sign in, then are guided to the vaccine rooms, get the shot, then guided to the wait area for 15 minutes, then leave. There were so many volunteers to help, assist, guide, smile at, make the experience so very pleasant. Now I need to wait for the second email “invitation” for the second Pfizer dose and then need to schedule again. Hopefully it will go as smoothly as the first one did. After a year of hibernation, it was a psychologically uplifting experience. I feel privileged to have gotten a dose knowing that so many who want it can’t have it yet. It will be so nice when the second dose is done.