I’m a healthy 40-year-old who received the COVID-19 vaccine – and I’m scared to tell anyone

I’m a healthy 40-year-old who received the COVID-19 vaccine – and I’m scared to tell anyone

I am a healthy 40-year-old woman who works remotely...and I just received my first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. I did this despite the fact that Ohio is still in Phase 1B, which means only those who are 65 years and older, have a qualifying condition, or work in a school setting are eligible for the vaccine.

When the COVID-19 vaccines first became available, I remember feeling an odd sense of relief I wouldn't be in Phase 1 rollout “” or even Phase 2. Yet as I watched friends, family, and acquaintances share their vaccine posts and videos, often with the hashtag #FauciOuchie, my fear dissipated and optimism crept in. After nearly a year of being quarantined and working from home with two young kids who are learning virtually, I finally allowed myself to believe there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Skipping the line? 

When my close friend Aya Khalil, an award-winning children's author, explained what vaccine cancellation lists were, I dismissed her. After all, what were the chances I would make the cut? It felt akin to winning the lottery! 

Yet Khalil insisted and pointed out it had worked for others, and to appease her, I called