CLEWISTON — After months of uncertainty, fear and ever-changing information during the early pandemic days, many have breathed a collective sigh of relief when COVID-19 vaccine announcements were made. As many Floridians try to navigate the often complicated routes to getting vaccinated against COVID-19, two local vaccine recipients wanted to share their experiences of getting their shots.

Sawang and Jeff are over 65 years old, which made them eligible for the vaccine. Both reported difficultly when initially trying to use the phone lines, calling hundreds of times per day and getting nowhere. Phone lines would become overwhelmed and would crash, appointment slots would fill quickly, or time would simply run out. Eventually, registering online became available, but they still didn’t receive a call back.

Waiting patiently for an appointment, the couple continued researching and listening to the guidance of experts, including doctors and epidemiologists. After so much time had passed, they were both confident that getting vaccinated was the way to go.

It was pure luck that they were able to call and make an appointment with the Hendry County Health Department, one morning. Both were scheduled to receive Moderna’s mRNA vaccines. They were elated.

“Our experience at the Health Department was pleasant. We didn’t know what to expect, especially after the challenge of just trying to book an appointment, but we arrived, were seated, then quickly received our vaccines and went on our way,” said Jeff.

“It was very easy, and I didn’t even feel the needle,” said Sawang. “The nurse was very gentle. She warned us that the side effects could be anywhere from nothing at all to severe flu-like illness.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects.”

Hours later, after they received their initial vaccines, Sawang said she felt tired and needed to rest. Jeff didn’t feel any different, and went on with his day as usual. Sawang ended up feeling quite ill, with body aches and a fever, for 24 hours. While Jeff reported no major issues. Both reported they were feeling just fine after a day.

They reported the same pleasant, simple, and quick experience at the health department when they received their second vaccines. Sawang reported she did not feel much more than a sore arm for a day or two. But this time, Jeff experienced the body aches, low-grade fever, and fatigue.

They both recovered quickly, and were happy to be on the other side of the COVID-19 vaccination process. Though, they were reminded that they would still need to be careful.

“When we received our second booster vaccine, we were told that it may not take full effect until a week or so following the second dose. So, we continue to wear masks, wash our hands and social distance. The regular precautions,” said Jeff. “We feel safer knowing that we’ve gotten both vaccinations even though we know there is a long way to go before we can expect to get back to our normal life.”

Even though they had been anxiously awaiting their vaccinations, both said overall it was not nearly as problematic as they feared.

The Hendry County Health Department is following Executive Order 21-47, which expanded COVID-19 vaccination in Florida to long-term care facility residents and staff, persons 65 years of age and older, health care personnel with direct patient contact, K-12 school employees 50 years of age and older, sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of age and older; and firefighters 50 years of age and older.

The Hendry County Health Department has recently been holding walk-in vaccine clinics on specific days. If you want to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, you can find out more by visiting their website: http://hendry.floridahealth.gov