Postponing My Third Covid Vaccine

On Monday the 4th of October I received a text saying that my rheumatologist had referred me for a third dose of the Covid vaccine. My appointment was that Saturday the 9th of October at 3.30pm. I was excited yet nervous.

Booster vaccine - what does that mean for me?

I was shocked when I received the text as I hadn’t heard of any of getting the booster vaccine here in Ireland yet. When I got the first dose of the vaccine, my grandparents already had theirs. So, I thought that they would be getting the booster shot before me. I was happy and confused. Happy that I will have more protection against Covid-19, yet I was confused. Does this mean that I have basically no protection against it right now? I became more anxious about contracting this virus. A virus that I’ve been anxious about for nearly two years.

At this point, I had been feeling unwell for about a week or so. I hoped that I would start feeling better in time for my vaccine. If you’ve read my articles about my previous vaccines you will know that I was quite sick after them. The sickness was worth having the protection from the vaccine. Being more protected against this virus will help me be less anxious and allow me to live my life more normally.

As the days went by, I started feeling worse. I had no energy. The intense fatigue was causing me to feel sick, nauseous and just generally miserable.  I want to get my third dose of the vaccine, but I didn’t want to feel worse than I already was feeling.

Decision time

I had no energy, I had a headache and of course, an increase in pain. Saturday came and I did not know what to do. My regular doctor and my rheumatologist were both closed on Saturday. I decided to ring my pharmacy and speak with the pharmacist. She advised me that it was my own choice but if I was feeling as miserable as I was describing then it would be best to postpone my appointment. So, I did. I felt guilty and relieved all at the same time. I felt nervous that I wouldn’t get another appointment for a long time.

I went to see my regular doctor on Monday to get my routine blood tests. I told her about how awful I was feeling and that I postponed my third vaccine. She said that this was great, I listened to my body and I did what I needed to do. I explained that I was worried in case I wouldn’t get another appointment for a long time and about how anxious Covid-19 makes me. She reassured me that I should get another appointment within the next two weeks, and if not she will add me to her list.

Luckily, I got another appointment. I got my third Covid-19 vaccine on Friday the 22nd of October. I am so happy that I got my third dose.

Have you had your third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine?