I received a surprising phone call yesterday. An automated message from the VA, where I get my healthcare, told me I was eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine and to contact my local VA clinic to make an appointment. Stunned, I made the call and was offered the Pfizer vaccine as soon as next Wednesday if I was interested. I am, of course, very interested, however, as I am currently in the Phase III trial of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, I needed more information to make that decision.
As I wrote about here, I have a pretty strong suspicion that I got the experimental vaccine vs. a placebo back in December. I’m not particularly sensitive to anything; whether it be caffeine, dietary changes, over the counter medications, even the strongest pre-workout concoctions. I can basically take almost anything and rarely feel a thing. I say almost because like Superman, I do have my kryptonite. But the day after I got my shot, I had muscle aches that were bad enough to get me reaching for the acetaminophen, and I had elevated overnight body temperature, resting heart rate and respiratory rate. I figured that was my immune system doing its thing, but of course I couldn’t be sure.
Faced with the opportunity to get the Pfizer vaccine, I contacted the research team in charge of my trial and explained the situation. They pulled my records and called me back to let me know that I did indeed receive the actual Johnson and Johnson vaccine in December. Even though I’ve been un-blinded now, I will remain in the trial as part of the research involves tracking my immunity to the virus over the coming months to see how long it lasts, and whether a booster may be necessary.
I’m pretty excited to know I’m protected, and proud of my participation. As I write this, Johnson and Johnson is getting the green light from the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization, so hopefully lots of folks will soon be getting that same protection. It also changes my perspective when it comes to competing in Powerlifting this year. I saw some photos and video on social media of a recent competition from my Federation and it looked like a super spreader event. No one was wearing masks, there was no physical distancing and it drove a dagger into my plans for this year. However, knowing I am protected, and from what I’ve read would not be able to transmit the virus to someone else even if some got into my system, I’m going forward with my plans. I will still wear a mask, both because no vaccine is 100% effective, but also because it’s the right thing to do to lead by example.
I wrote here that I’m ideally wired to deal with a pandemic and this new information just drives that home. Here I am, effectively protected from Covid-19, and I can’t think of a single thing to do differently than what I’ve been doing for the last year.
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