As more and more Americans around the country start receiving different forms of the COVID-19 vaccine, some Penn State students have already gotten the chance to participate in Pennsylvania’s gradual rollout.

For the most part, students who qualified to be among the first in the Penn State community to receive the vaccine did so because they work in health care or on the front lines of the pandemic.

“For the nursing program, since we’re getting in contact with patients, our clinical sites require us to get the vaccines so we don’t spread it to the patients,” said Chloe Engin, a sophomore in the College of Nursing.

According to Kallen Mitchell, another sophomore studying nursing, the College of Nursing sent an email before classes started explaining that nursing students should register to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

“It was my plan to come back to school and try to get an appointment,” said Mitchell. “I was worried about whether or not I’d be offered the vaccine. I knew I would want one and I would feel more comfortable if I did have one if I am going to be providing healthcare. As soon as we received the email, I signed up for a spot. On Tuesday, I got the first shot and they scheduled the follow-up appointment for my next for my booster shot.”

Mitchell felt Penn State did a good job in facilitating the connection between the clinical sites and providers. According to sophomore Haley Hertzog, the College of Nursing provided a lot of information on how to get the vaccine. 

“The vaccine sites are not affiliated with Penn State. All clinical sites are different [with] the way you go about the vaccine,” Hertzog said. “A lot of clinical sites for sophomores, which I am, are for nursing homes and the older population, so it was really important that we are getting the vaccine.”

Other students not in the College of Nursing that classify as part of Phase 1A of the Pennsylvania COVID-19 vaccination plan were also able to get vaccinated as well. 

“I work as an optometric tech, so that’s why I’m classified as a healthcare worker,” said sophomore Noah Wiggins. “In some counties like Butler, they’re having trouble finding enough people to get vaccinated. I ended up getting on the shortlist pretty quickly, so within a couple of days I found out where I was going to get vaccinated.”  

Fortunately, Penn Staters who are considered to be essential workers were able to sign up and get their first dose of the vaccine pretty quickly.

“I’ve worked in a retirement community ever since I was 16, so when everything was shut down, we were still working,” said sophomore Rachel Aber. “About a month ago, they sent out an email asking if we would like vaccines since we were considered healthcare workers and essential workers. I signed up and got it yesterday.”

Soreness was the most common symptom after getting the vaccine, and for some, it just felt like receiving your average vaccine. Regardless of potential pain or side effects, though, the excitement of finally getting the vaccine made it worth it.

“I was so happy because I got it, but I do have some allergies, so I was concerned if I would have a reaction,” Aber said. “I had to wait 30 minutes before leaving and never had a reaction. I didn’t even feel the needle going into my arm.”

According to Engin, some people in the nursing program said they felt exactly the same when they had COVID-19, while some said they couldn’t get out of bed.

“I was relieved taking the vaccine. For me, it was just a normal shot,” she said.

Hertzog, meanwhile, temporarily felt sore on her arm, neck, and back.  

“It’s way better than getting COVID-19,” she said. “People worry a lot about the long-term effects of the vaccine, which are not even proved yet. But there are proven long-term effects of COVID, so you need to pick your battle.”

She felt proud and tried to post on social media to help normalize the idea of getting the vaccine.

“There is so much fake news that seeing someone getting the vaccine normalizes that,” Hertzog said.

For Mitchell, the vaccine ran smoothly, and it felt almost like a flu shot. She didn’t have any side effects other than a bit of soreness on her arm and feeling tired the next day. 

“They were very minor side effects in comparison to the risk of getting the virus,” said Mitchell. “I was really excited to get the vaccine. I don’t always love to get shots, but this was highly anticipated.” 

Wiggs was a little hesitant at first, but now he’s excited. The only side effect he felt was a minor headache.

“I’m glad I made the shortlist for being a healthcare worker, but I wish my vaccine went to someone who’s actually high risk,” he said. “But at the same time, they either they get thrown out or used by healthcare workers because that was the mandate.”

For students who haven’t been able to qualify for a vaccine just yet, these Penn Staters have a few pieces of advice that can boil down to two words: Don’t. Worry.

“When we look at the side effects, we tend to be a little alarmed. But if we sit down and measure the risks of getting the vaccine versus getting the virus and also infecting other people, for me, the vaccine is a reward,” said Mitchell. “I’m protecting myself, my family, and my patients. My biggest concern is making sure that I, along with everybody else, am able to stay as safe as possible.”

Engin, meanwhile advised individuals to be safe and stay at home if feeling sick, while Hertzog said to talk to a doctor and make an educated decision. 

“The reason why we don’t have a million diseases going around is that vaccination exists,” Hertzog says. “Your decision affects everyone around you. People who have cancer or are immunocompromised can’t make that choice, but your decision affects them.”

Wiggins encourages students to be patient and think about the future. 

“Don’t be scared, because the vaccine will help stop the biggest threat to next year’s football season,” he said. “Get your vaccine so we can get into Beaver Stadium.”