I am a mother of three and a member of Palmer’s Daughters of the King. Before COVID, I started each weekday in St. Bede’s Chapel with Morning Prayer, and I volunteered at Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital where I visited and prayed with patients. My husband John is assisting priest at Palmer, and we have called this parish our home for 24 years.

I am thankful. 

I have been praying for this day and now it is here!
With great excitement, a touch of trepidation
And with deep gratitude
I give thanks
To all the scientists who toiled day and night
 So that I might receive this tiny vaccination
 That will protect me and all souls around this world.
I thank You, God, for blessing me with life
For sustaining my life
And for enabling me to reach this awe-filled moment.
-Rabbi Naomi Levy 

John and I are so proud that our children volunteered to help bring to pass the distribution of the vaccine: Rob entered a trial with Pfizer, and Rick with Moderno, and they’ll know soon whether they received the vaccine or a placebo. Catherine is giving her time and blood for a two-year vaccine study with Novavax.

There was never any doubt whether or not I would take it. Vaccines have saved me from mumps, measles, smallpox, polio, the flu, and shingles. We were concerned about John, who has been receiving gentle chemo since August, but his oncologist said, “Absolutely; take it”.

I am fortunate to be a patient at Methodist Hospital, one of the Houston hubs for dispensing the vaccine. When I sent a note to my primary care physician early in January giving reasons why it was important for me to be vaccinated, it didn’t take long before a link came via text message informing me how to register for my first shot, and to choose a time and place. I was trying to secure the earliest slot available but finally realized I needed to accept whatever times they offered. Then I had to choose a place, and there were many Methodist facilities from which to choose: the Texas Medical Center hospital, the Josey Roberts facility on Greenbriar, and then Katy, Sugar Land, Baytown, The Woodlands, Kingwood, and other outlying areas. Looking for the earliest possible appointment, I chose the first available timeslot which was 6:40 PM three weeks hence at Josey Roberts.

The day before I received an automated phone call asking me to confirm the appointment. On THE BIG DAY I received a phone call asking if I would like to come in early. “Yes!” I said, and I was there in two hours.

The process was incredibly organized: a check-in table, people to answer any questions, clear directions on where to go next, and I found myself in a room filled with computers and people asking more questions. Then on to the next room, with 6-foot markers for social distancing, and then to a nurse who gave me the vaccine. Easy!

After that, I had to wait 30 minutes to be sure I had no reaction. There were chairs placed in socially distanced positions and an area to make my follow up appointment. I had received the Pfizer vaccine, and my second dose was scheduled three weeks later. I was given a dated card to acknowledge that I’d received the first shot and was instructed to bring it back to the same location for vaccine #2 because it verified that I’d had a first shot of the Pfizer drug. It was a very well-organized experience, took about an hour, and I had absolutely NO reaction to the shot. I learned long ago to massage the area of the shot for a couple of minutes, and that worked for me.

On February 1, I received my second vaccine shot. The process took about 30 minutes longer because of the increased number of people, and I was told there might be a reaction. The next day, I felt like I had been horseback riding but I did some stretches and went through the day unaware of any discomfort. My joints felt heavy when I went to bed but I was relieved of symptoms by taking two Tylenols as the attending physician had advised.

I have concerns.

There are so many people but so limited availability, and so much confusion about how to get it, especially for people 65-years-old and older. Many of us in this group find it challenging to navigate the digital process and it can be frustrating. But it is important to get registered now to get on a waiting list.

The logistics change daily but here are some resources:

• Currently, there are two phone numbers to help you register: 832-393-4301, City of Houston; and 832-927-8787, Harris County. Both will probably involve some time and test your patience.

• Some pharmacies will soon be giving the vaccine; ask if they have a waiting list and SIGN UP NOW.

• If you currently use a primary care physician at either a Methodist or Memorial Hermann facility, chances are you have already received a text message from them about the process. If not, call your doctor.

• Baylor St Luke’s has been accepted as another hub for dispensing the vaccine. For communication once the vaccine becomes available to the public, contact St. Luke’s at https://www.stlukeshealth.org/covidvaccine.

I am hopeful. 

Divine Healer, With the pandemic still raging
I am blessed to do my part to defeat it.
Let this be the beginning of a new day,
A new time of hope, of joy, of freedom
 And most of all, of health. AMEN.