MADISON, Wis. — The first healthcare workers at UW Health to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Monday described the experience as surreal.
“I couldn’t believe how excited I was to get a shot,” said Dr. Ann Sheehy.
Sheehy was one of the first people to get the vaccine and said she didn’t expect it to be such an emotional experience.
“We have seen so much suffering and loss and devastation due to this pandemic and really nothing we’ve seen so far has slowed the growth and the cases of COVID and the number of people who have lost their lives to COVID. This was our hope,” Sheehy said. “This is the one thing we believe is going to get COVID under control and end the pandemic.”
Sheehy said the only side effect she feels from the vaccine is a sore arm, which is typical after getting a shot.
“I have no fever, no headache, no chills. I really have absolutely no symptoms. I feel great today,” Sheehy said.
Mavic Tjardes, a nurse at UW Health was also one of the first to get the vaccine.
“I cried,” Tjardes said. “I think it’s just a lot of mixed emotions.”
Tjardes said she had some chills Monday night and woke up with a sore arm, but feels good otherwise.
“I still can’t believe it happened,” Tjardes said. “I’m still riding on a high note from yesterday.”
Tjardes described the experience it as a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. She said she looks forward to what the future holds so we can catch up on all the things we missed out on in 2020.
“Thanksgiving in June? Would that be good? Kids can go back to school. Kids can go out and play. We can see each other’s faces without wearing masks and how we smile and regular talk to each other. We don’t have to have zoom drinking parties!” Tjardes said.
Both Tjardes and Sheehy said they hope by being the first people to get the vaccine, it can set an example for others to do the same when the vaccine becomes available to more people.
“Our role as healthcare professionals in this community is to reassure the public that things like the vaccine is safe,” Sheehy said. “I’m hoping that with us as healthcare providers being the first ones to be vaccinated, this will reassure the public that we do believe this is a safe vaccine.”
Healthcare workers remind people that even though hope is on the horizon, it’s still important to continue to wear masks, avoid social gatherings and keep social distancing.
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