Vaccine guinea pig

Vaccine guinea pig

Vaccination

Experience participating in vaccine study

anonymous

2021/04/19

English

Omaha, Nebraska

I volunteered to participate in the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine study in July 2020. I was working from home and had come to the realization that we were in this pandemic for the long haul, so looking for a way to help, I googled vaccine studies. I have a background in veterinary medicine and good faith in how vaccines are developed and tested, but also trust in Pfizer as a pharmaceutical company. Pfizer was conducting trials in Omaha, only a 20-minute drive from where I live. I felt lucky to be selected for the trial and had my first appointment in September. All along, I did have this background fear about possible reactions, effects, or illness from these untested vaccines, which was a constant underlying anxiety. Given what so many were doing in the pandemic though, I thought my concerns were small, my contribution important, but not personally difficult to perform. After the first injection, I did not think I had gotten the real vaccine, as some trial participants were receiving a "placebo". Nothing felt different. After my second injection, however, I knew it must be the vaccine. I was sick for a day with fever, chills, and body aches - as we now know can be one of the reactions experienced. Once the Pfizer vaccine was approved through a EUA, I was so excited. Not only was I able to receive early protection, but it was a success for everyone! Being a part of this history is one of my most memorable aspects of the pandemic.

Employee