Got Double Vaxxed

Last week my husband and I went to our local clinic and got double vaxxed aka double jabbed.  In plain English, it means we got double vaccinated. We made an appointment, showed our Ontario health cards, and got the latest COVID-19 vaccine in one arm and the 2023 version of the senior’s flu shot in the other arm.

I may be one of the minority who believe that vaccines are the best option for preventing a serious illness. This was my 7th COVID shot. I’ve lost count of the flu shots as I get one yearly.

Many people I know feel that COVID is over and refuse to have any more vaccine injections to prevent it.  I’m not taking that chance as wastewater surveillance testing in our community shows that COVID-19 rates are rising. I realize that I may still get COVID but, hopefully, a less severe case — and most likely no long COVID.

Other Vaccines

Although these shots qualify me as ‘fully vaccinated’, I’m not done yet.  I have two additional syringes filled with vaccine chilling in the fridge. 

Two weeks from now, I’ll get the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) injection.  Because I have been diagnosed with Asthma I am susceptible to severe respiratory infections.  With the vaccine, I may still get an infection, but it’s not likely to lead to dangerous symptoms or hospitalization.  

The protocol in Ontario requires a wait time of at least two weeks after receiving COVID-19 and flu vaccines before the RSV vaccine can be administered.  The vaccines are equally effective in preventing illness when given together or separately, but the wait time is required to ensure the identification of potential reactions. It’s a precautionary measure. Thankfully, I don’t usually react to vaccines except for a sore arm and a drop in energy.

In early December, after waiting another two weeks, I will have an injection of the Prevnar 20 vaccine. Prevnar 20 is the newest vaccine for pneumonia prevention. It was with some hesitation that I filled the rather costly prescription for the syringe of Prevnar 20 as I’ve had both the Prevnar 13 and Prevnar 23 vaccines and still contracted pneumonia three times! Thank goodness this vaccine is not one that needs to be repeated as it offers lifetime protection. Hopefully, I won’t get pneumonia again.

Readers might wonder, as I did if I’m getting over-immunized.  Perhaps vaccines give a false sense of security but I do trust my doctor who has prescribed these vaccines. I’m not medically trained but I do know that vaccines are important in preventing all types of diseases that can be fatal.  I’m also old enough to remember the introduction of polio vaccines and the relief my mother felt when she learned this killer disease could be prevented for the children in her family. We were among the first group in our community to receive polio vaccine.

I understand that some people are hesitant about vaccines due to distrust of the healthcare system. Stories of unfortunate experiences abound. As well, vaccinations have become politicized. Politicians seek to gain votes with positions that may or may not be founded in science. Further, misinformation on social media has fostered unwarranted fear.

Most of us are aware that even with vaccination, one can contract diseases like COVID-19, the seasonal flu, or pneumonia — although in a milder form. I am in my late 70s; my husband is in his 80s and is immuno-compromised.  We are both at high risk of becoming very ill should we contract one of these viruses. In our family, the potential benefits outweigh any risks!