Here’s How to Get Ready for Your COVID Vaccine

You’re finally eligible and got one of those elusive appointments! Or maybe you’ve been on the fence, and have finally decided to join your vaccinated friends. Congratulations. Here are some tips for how to have the best vaccine experience.

1. Clear your schedule. Whether taking the Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J vaccines, many people have reported temporary side effects — well worth the reduced risk of dying because some anti-mask person coughed in your direction in a restaurant. Some of the most common side effects include a sore arm, headaches, fatigue/needing to sleep for many more hours, and heavier and off-cycle menstrual bleeding. So, consider what activities you have scheduled in the 48–72 hours after your injection. Although moving a sore vaccinated arm around helps, you may not be up to making your latest TikTok dance video or giving a major presentation at work (especially after shot 2 of Pfizer and Moderna). President Biden has declared he is paying for PTO for you to recover from the vaccine, so go ahead and use it. This is also retroactive for any days off prior vaccinees took.

I personally noted that, even when my physical energy was back after the Pfizer second shot, I had enough cognitive slowdown that I proactively asked a teammate to replace me in an intellectual competition. So, students taking summer classes or preparing for the LSAT, GRE, MCAT, or GMAT may well wish to make sure that neither shot coincides with a test.