By OVELL PATTERSON, Student Reporter
As the coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, citizens around the world are being immunized against it.
Some students at Northwestern Oklahoma State University have already gotten their first doses of the coronavirus vaccine. And at least one has had her second dose, meaning she is fully immunized against COVID-19.
Madison Meyer, a member of the university’s cross country team, has received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine. She works at Beadles Nursing Home in Alva. She got her first dose of the vaccine on Jan. 17 and her second dose on Feb. 7.
“I decided to get the shot because I am a healthcare worker and an athlete, so the vaccine gives me a smaller chance of getting the coronavirus, as well as spreading it to my residence and teammates,” Meyer said.
Meyer said she previously had COVID-19. It hurt her lungs, which affected her ability to run, she said. She said this was one of the reasons she got the vaccine.
“My family also feels relieved now that I have the vaccine,” Meyer said. She is exposed to the coronavirus somewhat because she is around a lot of people every day, she said. Now, they don’t have to worry about her coming home and spreading the virus to them, she said.
Because she has already had COVID-19, Meyer experienced more side effects from getting the shot, she said. She said she experienced a number of side effects, including arm pain, extreme fatigue and fever.
“After the first shot, I experienced extreme fatigue and arm pain,” she said.
“After the second shot, I had a lot more side effects, including nausea, increased blood pressure and fatigue.
“After about 10 hours after the shot, I started to experience flu like symptoms and was unable to get out of bed.”
Because the shot thins your blood, she had four nose bleeds two days after getting the second shot, she said. But one week after getting her shots, she said she felt normal again.
“I hope more and more people continue to get the corona vaccine, so things can go back to how they were prior to this virus,” Meyer said.