Here's What Getting A COVID Vaccine From A Fairfax Clinic Is Like

Editor's note: The views expressed in this story are the author's own. This story was updated on April 17 with information about second dose side effects.

FAIRFAX, VA — March turned out to be a promising month for COVID-19 vaccination progress, between increases in Moderna and Pfizer vaccine allocations and the appearance of a third option: the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For me, personally, I now know plenty of family and friends who have gotten vaccinated, unlike in previous months. On Thursday, my turn for the vaccine came, too.

I received the COVID-19 vaccine through the Fairfax County Health Department Thursday evening at the Fairfax County Government Center. Because all residents 16 and up are expected to become eligible for the vaccine by May 1, I thought it would be helpful to walk Patch readers through my vaccine experience.

It all started by preregistering with the Fairfax County Health Department. Fairfax County is the only Virginia jurisdiction using its own preregistration form after Virginia launched a statewide vaccine registration system. I live in the City of Falls Church, which is covered by the Fairfax County Health Department, along with the Fairfax County, towns of Vienna, Herndon and Clifton and City of Fairfax.

I preregistered on Feb. 27, over a month after phase 1b opened up to people with underlying conditions on Jan. 18. I am eligible in phase 1b by having what the CDC classifies as an underlying condition that increases risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

After signing up, I regularly checked the Fairfax County Health Department's vaccine data dashboard so I'd have an idea when I might get an appointment scheduling invitation. The dashboard shows the date the health department is currently making appointments for, as well as the current wait list number.

I received my invitation to schedule an appointment on March 22. The email from the Fairfax County Health Department provided me with a unique link to schedule my appointment. Upon clicking that link, I found a number of appointment options over the next several days, between Fairfax County Health Department locations, to Giant, George Mason University, and Sameday Health's drive-thru location in Tysons. I chose the Fairfax County Government Center for an appointment because the appointment timing was convenient for me.

After choosing that appointment slot, I received a confirmation email with instructions for the visit. All that was left to do was show up for my appointment.

On Thursday evening, I arrived at the Fairfax County Government Center and went to the visitor parking. Because I chose a Fairfax County Health Department clinic, I was instructed to wait in my vehicle until I received a text message and checked in. I received a text message before my scheduled appointment, clicked on the link, and answered screening questions to confirm I did not have COVID-19 symptoms. After that, I was instructed to remain in my vehicle until I received a follow-up text to come inside. The confirmation was almost instantaneous, and I headed inside.

At the front entrance of the government center, there were clinic volunteers to direct you where to go and a sign indicating the Pfizer vaccine was being given that day. A volunteer at the front door confirmed I received a text to come inside for my appointment and directed me to a check-in table. I provided my name and date of birth information and proceeded toward the clinic area.

The clinic had ample floor markings and volunteers to ensure you were going in the right direction. I waited in a quickly-moving line with 6 feet of social distancing before being directed into a room with vaccination stations.

At the vaccination station, I provided a form of identification, went through screening questions, and was told I was receiving the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccinator provided my COVID-19 vaccination record card with the date of the first dose (March 25) and the date to return for a second dose (April 15).

The second dose date on my card is not an appointment date, but rather the date I would be eligible. The Pfizer vaccine requires the second dose to be given at least 21 days after the first dose. I was told I would receive an invitation to schedule the second dose no sooner than seven days before the second dose date. Similar to the first dose, I will be able to choose which location for my second dose, as long as the location is giving the Pfizer vaccine.

Once the vaccinator was done explaining that information, all that was left was the shot itself. The vaccinator filled a syringe from a vial of the Pfizer vaccine and administered it in the muscle in my upper arm. I felt a tiny pinch, no worse than when I receive the seasonal flu vaccine.

After getting a band-aid, I was directed into a waiting room for 15 minutes of monitoring. I went to the volunteers to check in and proceeded to one of the physically-distanced chairs in the room. Volunteers disinfected chairs as others got up to leave. After the 15 minutes had passed, I received a text message indicating I was free to leave. Again, I followed floor markings to get to the exit. That was the end of the appointment, and it took all of 20 minutes or so.

I was cautioned that side effects are possible after the first or second dose, although some experience stronger side effects after the second dose. After the appointment, I felt no side effects other than a sore arm.

After going for my second dose on April 16 at George Mason University's EagleBank Arena, I did experience more side effects. I received my second dose around noon and started having side effects overnight, including chills and body aches. This is just my experience, and side effects are different for everyone. Some people may experience multiple side effects, while others may have little to none.

Overall, the vaccine appointment process in Fairfax County appears smooth and efficient. I hope this information helps someone understand the process if they are receiving the vaccine through the Fairfax County Health Department. I received the Pfizer vaccine, but others many receive another vaccine depending on what is allocated to Fairfax County that week.

When eligibility opens to everyone 16 and up on April 18, you are free to seek appointments directly through vaccinefinder.org.

Patch will continue to provide updates on Fairfax County and Virginia's vaccination progress. For more information on coronavirus vaccines in Virginia, see the Virginia Patch COVID-19 vaccination page.