Life After COVID-19 Vaccination: What Are MyParkinsonsTeam Members Doing Now That They’re Vaccinated? | MyParkinsonsTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About MyParkinsonsTeam
Powered By

Life After COVID-19 Vaccination: What Are MyParkinsonsTeam Members Doing Now That They’re Vaccinated?

Written by Anika Brahmbhatt
Posted on June 10, 2021

As of June 10, more than 63 percent of Americans had received at least their first vaccination against COVID-19. MyParkinsonsTeam members who have been vaccinated are eagerly sharing their hopes and plans now that vaccination has lowered their risk for experiencing serious illness from the potentially deadly virus.

“I had a great day,” one member shared. “My wife and I got our [second] vaccine shot today, so we are now completely vaccinated. Hope everyone can get your shots, too.”

Fun With Friends and Family

Many MyParkinsonsTeam members are excited for fun activities with friends and family again. “It's spring break and some of our grandkids are visiting,” wrote one member. “It's been a while, but now that our family is vaccinated, at least we can gather together.”

Others are reveling in a return to normal social plans. “My two youngest grandchildren play on select baseball and softball teams,” shared another. “Can't wait to watch some of their games.”

One MyParkinsonsTeam member wrote, “Saw my sister and her husband for the first time in over a year! [My] daughter, a public school employee, is on spring break and home for four days!”

Still other members are nervous about socializing again after being quarantined for a year — and that’s normal, experts say.

“Reentering society and socializing again is going to be a process,” wrote author Clay Drinko, Ph.D., in March. “Just like adjusting to pandemic life last year, this new transition is going to have its ups and downs. Instead of having unreasonably high expectations (I’m going to host a block party and be the belle of the ball), try to take it one step at a time and be curious about how each new interaction affects you (I'm going to try to talk to the neighbor and just see how it goes).”

Medical Appointments and Personal Care

About half of American adults have delayed or skipped some aspect of medical or dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. As MyParkinsonsTeam members get vaccinated, many are taking the earliest opportunity to schedule medical visits, eye appointments, dental exams, and diagnostic tests needed for Parkinson’s monitoring.

“Resting on my laurels,” one member wrote. “Yesterday, I had an appointment at Kaiser. That went well. Then in the afternoon, I had another appointment.”

“I had blood drawn and a CT scan on Tuesday and received the feedback yesterday,” shared another member. “Good news: There has been no noticeable progression since my last scan, and the blood numbers are still good.”

Other members are looking forward to personal care appointments as well: “Went for a haircut and lunch with a friend,” one MyParkinsonsTeam member wrote. “What can be better?”

Looking Forward To Travel

As travel restrictions lift and more people are vaccinated, some MyParkinsonsTeam members are beginning to look forward to their first vacations in more than a year. Some members are hoping to travel to see family and friends, or to just get away from home.

“I'm hoping … I will be able to go on my trip to see my son [and] his wife on our trip to Yellowstone,” said one member. Another wrote, “My wife and I are planning a month-long camping road trip in July.”

Staying Cautious After Vaccination

Some MyParkinsonsTeam members report that they’re continuing to be cautious when socializing. “I need a haircut. I've been waiting until I am fully vaccinated, so I've got another month of being shaggy before I'll feel comfortable getting it lopped off,” shared one member.

Even after you are fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends continuing to take precautions such as:

  • Wearing masks
  • Staying six feet apart from others in public spaces
  • Avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated public spaces

Ensuring that you continue to prioritize your safety can help ease your mind as you get back into the swing of post-vaccine life, wrote psychologist Marina Harris, Ph.D., in May. “By following guidelines and associated protocols, combined with the vaccine, you’re being as safe as you can possibly be.”

Local health authorities may have additional guidelines in place for your state or county. Be sure to check what’s permitted before planning activities.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyParkinsonsTeam is the social network for people with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones. On MyParkinsonsTeam, more than 76,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Parkinson’s.

Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19? Are you making plans now that your risk for infection is lower? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.

Posted on June 10, 2021
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Become a Subscriber

Get the latest articles about Parkinson's disease sent to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Anika Brahmbhatt is an undergraduate student at Boston University, where she is pursuing a dual degree in media science and psychology. Learn more about her here

Related Articles

Welcome to MyParkinsonsTeam — the place to connect with others living with Parkinson's disease. ...

Getting Started on MyParkinsonsTeam (VIDEO)

Welcome to MyParkinsonsTeam — the place to connect with others living with Parkinson's disease. ...
Your body needs just the right balance of vitamins and minerals to function properly. When you’re...

Magnesium and Parkinson’s Disease: Are Supplements Beneficial?

Your body needs just the right balance of vitamins and minerals to function properly. When you’re...
Yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles — what do these foods have in common? They’re all fermented p...

Probiotics and Parkinson’s Disease: What You Need To Know

Yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles — what do these foods have in common? They’re all fermented p...
Do you find yourself digging through the snack cabinet at night for a cookie or piece of chocolat...

Sugar and Parkinson’s: 7 Facts To Know

Do you find yourself digging through the snack cabinet at night for a cookie or piece of chocolat...
Exercise is good for the body and mind, especially when living with a chronic condition like Park...

7 Benefits of Bike Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Exercise is good for the body and mind, especially when living with a chronic condition like Park...
This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...

Recent Articles

It’s natural to be afraid of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the risks of gett...

Do COVID-19 Vaccines Worsen Parkinson’s Symptoms? What We Currently Know

It’s natural to be afraid of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the risks of gett...
People with Parkinson’s disease may develop a symptom called hypomimia, which is a loss or reduct...

Facial Masking (Hypomimia) With Parkinson’s Disease: Causes and Management

People with Parkinson’s disease may develop a symptom called hypomimia, which is a loss or reduct...
In a survey of caregivers on MyParkinsonsTeam, 88 percent reported feeling stressed watching thei...

Survey Results: Stresses and Rewards of Parkinson’s Caregiving

In a survey of caregivers on MyParkinsonsTeam, 88 percent reported feeling stressed watching thei...
Both Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease are progressive neurodegenerative disorders tha...

Parkinson’s vs. Huntington’s Disease: What’s the Difference?

Both Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease are progressive neurodegenerative disorders tha...
Persecutory delusions are the most common type of delusion in people with Parkinson’s disease psy...

What Are Persecutory Delusions? Examples and How To Help

Persecutory delusions are the most common type of delusion in people with Parkinson’s disease psy...
People with Parkinson’s disease may experience hallucinations and delusions caused by progression...

What Causes Hallucinations and Delusions in Parkinson’s?

People with Parkinson’s disease may experience hallucinations and delusions caused by progression...
MyParkinsonsTeam My Parkinson's disease Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close