By Mercedes Halliburton
Staff Writer

The much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine has already been given out and received by people all over the globe, some of them right in the MAST community. Unfounded rumors about its side-effects did not stop a number of former teachers and staff from taking their place in line for the shot.

Mindy Fernández, a former ESE (exceptional student education) teacher at MAST, was recently given the vaccine. 

“I went to one of the parks in Broward. They stopped me when I drove in to check my confirmation paper. I then sat in my car and had my ID checked three more times. From start to finish, it lasted two hours,” she explained. Before Mrs. Fernández received the vaccine she knew all about the risk and had heard rumors about all the side effects that might come with it. Nevertheless, she took the shot as soon as she could get an appointment..  

“My arm was just a tad bit sore, but no after effects,” she said. Side-effects from the vaccine can be different for everyone, but a sore arm is a symptom people who take the vaccine often experience. Some people also experience nausea, fatigue, and fever as other symptoms.

Fortunately, Fernández’s children gave her all the support she needed when it was time to decide whether or not she should take the vaccine. 

“They would have killed me if I didn’t get one! No hesitation whatsoever about getting the vaccine. Jumped right in and would do it again in a minute,” she remarked.  

Ana Posse, a past counselor at MAST Academy who also received a vaccine, was happy to provide further information. 

“For me and my husband it was very easy as we were invited by the state and City of Miami because we were the direct family of a firefighter, our son,” Ana Posse explained. “Zero side effects. I was expecting a big sting at the injection site, a very sore arm and some restless nights, but surprisingly great!” Just like Ms. Fernández, Ms. Posse had no severe side effects and found the process particularly easy.       

Although the after effects of the vaccine should be mild, as seen those reported by  Fernández and Posse, nurse researcher Kristen Choi explained that worse symptoms of the COVID-19 vaccine are high fevers, splitting headaches, and nausea. In spite of these discomforts, doctors and scientists assure the public that the coronavirus vaccine’s minimal risks are worth taking, given the severity of the effects of the illness it prevents.