St. Mary's teachers react to getting vaccinated

By Willow Blythe

Art by Charlie LaMountain​

Phase two of the Tennessee Coronavirus vaccinations started in February, and since then, teachers have been able to get vaccinated. According to the April 8th SMS Express, 82% of the St. Mary’s staff have received the vaccine. 

So far, teachers have had mixed reactions to the shot. Dr. McFadden, who got the Pfizer vaccine, said, “My first dose was February 17, between the two snowstorms. There was a batch that was going to expire on February 18, so they had a pop-up vaccination for teachers at Bartlett High School – seven minutes from my doorstep.  I figured if they're bringing the vaccine to me, how can I say, ‘No’.” McFadden had a sore arm, as well as fatigue and body aches after the second dose. 

Dr. Lyon mentioned similar side effects after the Moderna vaccine: “It kicked my tail for about 24 hours: didn't have any side effects until about 12 hours after the second shot, and then it was fever and chills and aches for another 24 hours, but then I woke up on day three feeling fine and ready to roll!” Both Ms. Bielskis and Mrs. Millen had similar experiences with fevers and chills.

Ms. Madden got the Moderna vaccine at the end of February and only had a sore arm. She was the only teacher interviewed who did not have at least twenty-four hours of flu-like symptoms.