Even Greener Pastures

A little update...
The vaccination started, but it goes very slowly. Actually it stopped around half of January for obvious reasons  (the shortage of vaccines everywhere in Europe).
I talked to my colleagues who already got one or two doses. Normally they had a little pain both times. A colleague who got the 2nd dose had severe flu-like symptoms for about 1 day after this dose (especially night sweating).
I'm eligible for the early vaccination (as a healthcare worker) though my vaccination has been cancelled twice, because of the shortage of vaccines. So now I wait for another appointment.
In Poland they started to give vaccines to people over 70. First of all they started with people over 80 and now allowed people over 70 to subscribe. But they are short of doses already. I checked yesterday and the nearest vaccination points having free appointment dates were more than 300km far from the place I live in. My parents were happy to get an appointment in a town not far from us... so they will hopefully get their vaccines by the end of March.
People under 70, not belonging to higher risk groups have to wait. They can subscribe to the waiting lists... but will they get the vaccine this year... I doubt.

And what is the situation in your countries? Anything changed during this month?

In Poland they started with healthcare professionals today. My friend  (doctor in Emergency dept. in Cracow) got her vaccine today. She sent me a photo of her vaccination card (the second dose after 3 weeks or so). I work in a hospital too (though in a less important one, in smaller town and not on the 'front line'), so I hope I'll get my vaccine soon (maybe next month). All my family members want to get it... But they will have to wait.
Besides... this funeral today... not old, strong, healthy woman - doctor, who knew how to protect herself... this virus is dangerous to everyone,  not only to old and unhealthy people.

Hi Marin and Nikola,
Indeed it is a hot topic. Where I am living the vaccination hasn’t begun yet and one cannot subscribe.
I stopped discussing the matter with people, it’s worse than talking about politics.
Among my older friends and family (+65), the most eager to get vaccinated are those who live by themselves (either divorced or widowed) and are suffering more from loneliness due to the social distancing.

Here, people over 75 will come first, then medical staff in the hospitals and homes for the elderly, then other +65 and so on.

I will get vaccinated as soon as I will be eligible for it, but I don’t know when it will be possible.
My husband hasn’t made up his mind yet.

I am vaccinated against (almost ) everything: seasonal flue, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, rabies, ticks. since I used to travel a lot to remote places, I never had any allergies.
A friend of us, a priest, said that, since a month, he has everyday one or two funeral services. He is exhausted and sad.

Now there is this frenzy about the new British variation of the virus which is more contagious.
The experts say that the vaccines that were approved should handle also this kind of virus.

Let’s hope so.

And my own replies are:
1) The vaccinations hasn't started yet in my country. Probably they start in a few days.
2) I have subscribed for the vaccination. I had this opportunity in my working place. Most of my colleagues with university education level decided to subscribe (though some of them hesitate). My work colleagues with high school education only, in majority hasn't yet decided.
3) I hope to be vaccinated in January. I hope there will be no serious side effects (I got vaccine for flu and B hepatitis, and during my childhood all recomended vaccines - nothing bad happened). I will write here how will I feel this time. My only concern is that the vaccine may not be very effective, because of the virus mutation. Anyway it's worth trying ... Next Sunday we will go to the funeral of my wife's friend  - 48y.o. doctor who died of covid-19...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

To those we'd love to have a laugh with but can't (for whatever reason):