Retta won me over after seeing a couple of her interviews. She’s funny, she’s personable and she seems completely genuine. I know her from Parks and Rec (I couldn’t get into Good Girls as it stressed me out) and her interviews always impress me. Retta was on Seth Meyers last week promoting the new season of Good Girls. She talked about the fact that she was able to get vaccinated. She’s grateful she got the Johnson and Johnson shot so she doesn’t have to worry about whether or not she can get the second one.
Her fear with getting the shot
Everybody is saying their appointment was canceled or they ran out of vaccine so I don’t put my trust in that system. I’ve gotten vaccinated and I was lucky enough to get Johnson and Johnson so I don’t have to worry. That was my fear [not being able to get the second shot].On how she felt getting vaccinated
I didn’t cry, but I was a little misty. It was so weird, I didn’t know how to speak. ‘Thank you for helping us.’ It’s like FEMA, they came in and saved the city.
[From Late Night with Seth Meyers on YouTube]
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is preferred by many people because it’s so convenient to be one and done. Some people have gone to extreme measures to get a shot and many can’t afford the time and expense of traveling twice to get vaccinated. Hopefully it’s about to become more convenient for most. Biden just said that by April 19th, 90% of Americans will be eligible for a vaccination and that it will be available within five miles of their home. 31 states will open vaccinations for all adults by April 19th and all states will open by May 1st. The ease of getting vaccinated at that time will of course wildly differ depending on the area. The vaccine rollout under the Biden administration has been so impressive. They’ve exceeded their goals and are working tirelessly to get people vaccinated. This isn’t the time to ease restrictions though. The new variants are spreading and there may be yet another deadly wave in the US like there is in Europe.
I had to make a ton of phone calls and drive two and a half hours each way, but I got the Pfizer shot last week. I got it at a Walgreens, and they told me that I would have to go through the Walgreens system to book the second shot. That worries me because their system was not helpful at getting the first shot at all. I’m not going to stress too hard about it because I have a window of a few weeks. Plus the first shot was the biggest hurdle and I now have something like 80% immunity. That does not mean I’m going to go buck wild or skip my second shot. I’m going to continue to wear a mask and social distance, but my anxiety while shopping and being around anti-maskers will be reduced.
Here’s Retta’s interview!
Did you see this skit from Jeff Wright on Seth Meyers playing the different vaccinations? It made me laugh a few times.
photos credit: Avalon.red and via Instagram
I had the J&J – one shot, zero side effects (for me, anyway). Now after traveling more than 8 hours round-trip to get it and waiting out the full 14 days, I am officially vaccinated and it’s a wonderful feeling to have it over and done with. I also still mask and socially distance, but for the benefit of others. It’s nice knowing that I’m no longer subject to the whims of covidiots. 🤷🏼♀️
Congrats! And lucky you on no side effects. I got the J&J on Saturday and was really sick for about 36 hours and dragging for another 12. Small price to pay, though, and I feel fine now.
My story exactly with the J+J, @Esmom! Aches everywhere, brief stabby pains, 101 fever, but not a big deal otherwise.
Can I ask what kind of side effects you had?
Hi, yes, I had a 102 fever, chills, body aches and a headache starting about 8 hours after the shot, which lasted about 24 hours. Then my fever broke but I had those brief shabby pains the next day and a headache. Sounds similar to JanetDR’s experience. 48 hours after the shot I was completely fine. I drank a lot of water when I was feverish and had a big smoothie the next day, I was just craving fruit.
That skit was hilarious! Love Retta but i’m cool with my Phizer shots, already i’m more chill about people coming closer and noses sticking out of masks. Because I’m vaccinated and I’m wearing a mask-I feel super protected. CVS scheduled both doses for me and didn’t drop the second appointment but I did have to drive hella far for both doses even though I live in a major metropolitan area.
Yeah, I agree about the feeling chiller thing. It’s an added layer of protection.
I got vaccinated through a city mass vaccination site and they automatically scheduled me for my second when I got my first. I’m looking forward to knocking this out, but I feel much safer already!
I love that Covid approval vaccine skit!! As Retta, I love her and her comedic timing is spot on!! I did watch a little bit of the Good Girls and she is wonderful in her role!!
Though I did get the Moderna vaccine but in regards to Biden and his actions into the coronavirus, his empathy, his stance and aggressive approach to getting vaccinations to everyone in aggressive and consistently pushing the limits is such an impressive change from the last disgusting administration. I am so hopeful for what we are going to see with the Biden/Harris team of achievements and what they are destined to do and how vocal and supportive they are to all Americans hurting, no matter their stance in life, is refreshing and warms my heart!! And Madame VP Harris is such a joy to watch, listen, and see her shaking the establishment with her force is inspirational!! Love me Biden and Harris!!
The vaccine rollout under the Biden administration has been so impressive.
+1
My state has, what feels like, the slowest roll out of who can get the vaccine. If Biden hadn’t pushed to have all adults eligible by May, I doubt my governor would have done it.
Are you in PA? I’m in PA and they are still on Phase 1a, which is first responders, elderly ect. I’m in SEPA too so it’s even slower. I’m so incredibly frustrated with everything, I honestly don’t understand how a governor that was pretty proactive and followed the science has created such a slow process. I believe we are number 48 in the US, which is insane.
Same! My Governor is starting to really irk me with the pace here.
I’m in Connecticut and Gov Lamont is doing a great job here. I’ve already been vaccinated and 16 plus April 1.
We opened more categories yesterday, and even more next week.
Most of our places schedule your second at your first shot, and thankfully any instances of them running out were few and far between.
I get Moderna #2 this weekend, and the best vaccine is the one you can get (unless of course you have a medical need for one over the other). J&J has been in short supply here, oddly enough as the company is head quartered here in NJ, and in the next shipment they are trying to reserve a lot for homebound people and grocery employees and such, who can’t as easily take time off for 2 shots, especially if they have to travel.
I’m in LA County. I got the Phizer shot and will be getting my second one next Saturday. My immediate family will all be vaccinated by that time. Vaccine distribution seems to be working out well here in CA.
got the j&j myself. i had some chills the same night and a kind of fog came over me for maybe 24 hours. my arm was tender for some time but nothing to really note otherwise. it feels you know, pretty nice to be fully vaccinated (its been just shy of 4 weeks for me)! still masking, still distancing, still at home as much as possible…still doing everything I can, because there are still vulnerable folks out there! but i admit, a small wave of relief washed over me after the 2-ish, definitely 3-week mark. i wish the same feeling for those who get vaccinated, its just…nice. and we could all use a dose of nice after the hellscape that has been the past few years.
I was hoping for the one-shot but was offered the Moderna here in Michigan. I jumped at the appointment. The appointment was a drive thru at a nearby church with the second shot scheduled at the same time. The process was seamless. I”m grateful for all the hard work it took to get the process rolling here.
I’m with her, I want to get the J&J shot too. I hate needles, plus a friend’s sister had a horrible reaction to her second dose and ended up in the hospital. Its one and done for me, although we may need a booster later in the year.
Wow, fun to see Jeff Wright on Seth Meyers! His aliens coming to earth skit still makes me giggle at random times.
I got my Moderna last week through Kroger, and my 2nd shot was scheduled at the same time as the first. I wanted J&J for the one-shot deal but I am happy to get any vaccine.
Retta has been a guest on a couple podcasts I’ve listened too and she is incredibly charming and funny. I just started the second season of Good Girls and she is excellent. I’m so glad she gets to go beyond the “treat yo’self” schtick on Parks and Rec.
I love her, too, but I’m with CB in that I can’t get into Good Girls. She was brilliant on Parks & Rec but I agree it’s nice to see her move beyond it.
I loved her so much on Parks, but I too am really glad her next show was such a different character and she gets to show her acting skills. She does have great comedic timing, but has also impressed me with her drama skills. I love Good Girls, mostly just for the great cast.
Love Good Girls, all three women leads including Retta are absolutely fantastic in it. It took me a while to get into it but once I was like 5 episodes in to season 1, I was totally committed. It’s so great to have an interesting crime dramedy led by three women.
CB- I vaccinate with CVS, and it’s easier to get an appt for a 2nd vaccine than to get the 1st. They hold spots for 2nd doses, so I’ve been able to get all my patients an appt. You might try CVS for your 2nd vaccine if Wags doesn’t work out!
That’s a good idea! I’m hoping there will be Pfizer shots available locally by early May so that I won’t have to drive far.
Listen, I’m about to start lingering around my CVS pharmacy near closing time to see if I can get lucky with the leftovers.
Shoot. I will take the J&J no problem!
I got my second shot of Pfizer a couple of days ago and I felt fine for the first 24 hours, but then my arm hurt so badly I thought it might fall off. Fortunately a couple of Advil in the middle of the night did the trick. I am so so so grateful to have been vaccinated but won’t go anywhere until my H is fully vaccinated (he will be eligible next week). Reading the news about the variants makes me think we will probably do booster shots every year for COVID or other types of SARS, and I am okay with that. I am still amazed that, as a nation, we could not get people to wear a piece of cloth over their faces and keep their distance from others, but we could magic up miracle cures inside of 8 months. That’s America. The simple, inexpensive route to a global crisis is impossible, so we do the Hail Mary moonshot. We’re weird.
I got my first dose of pfizer last week (at the football stadium here, it was kind of cool to go up to the club level for it, lol) and we booked our second appointment that day. (its two weeks from tomorrow. I wanted J&J just to be one and done, even though I know the other vaccines are more affective, its not enough of a difference to matter to me. But we didnt get a choice, just pulled up at the stadium and we got what we got. I’m not complaining lol.
I did get a little teary-eyed – not for myself, but just for the idea that we are getting closer to this being over, and so thankful for everyone working to get people vaccinated.
I am Canadian. Our vaccine roll out has been slow – mostly because we don’t manufacture any of the vaccines here (thanks Mulroney for making that decision 30ish years ago). However my mom is getting her first shot (Pfizer or Moderna) TOMORROW! She is 71. I am so relieved. Hopefully my 69 year old dad is soon after. I continue to wait semi patiently for mine.
I am totally OK with yearly booster shots.
Me too. I always get my flu shot, no problem getting a booster for covid.
I was so excited to get my first shot yesterday. I’m really blessed to be in a county that has done so well, even though we are in a deeply red state with a lot of problems. Eligibility opened up at 8 am and I was vaccinated by 11:45. One of my friends was done by 8:30!
I didn’t cry when I got my shot, but I did cry after I scheduled it!
Retta was the very first celebrity guest for Day Drinking with Seth (his family were the 1st to do it with him) and wow, those two were great together.
And Jeff Wright is and was hilarious and it was so smart of Meyers to call him in the dead of winter and offer him and job and tell him he has to leave Florida for it. Yes, Jeff has has skits about that too.
I’m in the UK and being 42 with no underlying health conditions I’m still waiting (hopefully the 40-49 age group will be up in May) and it makes me SO happy to hear so many stories of people getting their vaccinations, it’s finally real and we’re dealing with this thing.
I have a horrible feeling I will be crying the whole way through mine as I just feel so emotional ab out the whole thing.
At this point, I would be happy to get any vaccine. My age group is set to be vaccinated around September-October. Like seriously, anything at all is fine as long as I get it fast.
Are you in Canada by chance? I’m hoping young people can get the vaccine way before September/October.
I’m so jealous of people that got the Johnson and Johnson shot! I just got my second Moderna last week and that took me down for two days. It was very unpleasant and I’m hoping that we don’t have to do any kind of booster yearly with that, at least with those kind of side effects! And I’m only 34, very healthy and it still felt like I was hit by a truck the next day. My boomer parents got the Pfizer and there didn’t seem to have hardly any side effects.
Love Retta! I’m so glad she’s getting better parts than that horrific girlfriends tv show (it was so bad I’m not even going to bother searching for the full title). I love her in Good Girls. That show stressed me out, too, but then I revisited it and have binged seasons 1 and 2 and am hooked to season 3 now. Part of what stressed me was that they were continually making such poor decisions that it just didn’t feel real. Everything else was real but then they’d make the stupidest decision without consulting each other and then all hell would break lose and it just didn’t seem believable. It’s gotten better and definitely the show ebbs and flows with the believability factor. It’s worth checking out.
I got my first vaccine along with my parents first week of March. Selfishly I wanted Moderna or Pfizer because their efficiency rate is higher than J&J. I didn’t go vaccine shopping though, I took the first appointments I found which just happened to be Moderna so that made me super happy. I managed to find slots by chance pretty quickly about 30 minutes away within the next 48 hours one of the times I checked. Walgreen’s and CVS’s portals were too confusing to figure out so I stopped messing with them. We go for our second shots next week at the same location where they made the second appointments for us while we were waiting in the 15 minute waiting area after the shot. My sister just became eligible thanks to her job and got her first shot last night in Queens (she lives in Brooklyn). CT announced April 1st as the date all people 16+ would become eligible and NY just announced yesterday April 6th. I am just so excited for everyone to become eligible and for everyone who wants a vaccine to get one. We’ll still be wearing masks and social distancing for awhile but I really think by this fall, things *may* return to normal if everyone stays cautious and follows the rules. We can’t all go wild just because we’re vaccinated and also most of the world doesn’t have the robust vaccination program the US has implemented. I’m just so thankful Biden was elected. Under Trump, there is NO way we would have gotten access this quickly and so soon.
I got the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine last week at one of the local hospitals (all of my doctors are on staff at their Women’s Health Center, so I got a text asking me to schedule a vaccine the day after my age group became eligible). My second dose was scheduled before I walked out the door from my first. Woo Hoo!!!! Everyone at the clinic was smiles and giggles with “Thank You So Much” coming out all over the place.
NYS is opening up eligibility to 16+ next week. I want to get my 16 year old scheduled, but only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for 16 & 17 year olds. Most of the vaccine sites don’t tell you in advance which vaccine they have, so it’s going to be a challenge to find the “right” vaccine for a teenager. I really want this kid protected and back at school in person. They play travel hockey and the school has asked us to keep them remote until the season is over (indoor, full contact sport – they are understandably nervous). Their team is playing really well, so the season keeps extending itself.
The school is OK with us sending Kiddo in person once they are fully vaccinated, regardless of whether or not they are still playing hockey. So I will be on the hunt for an appropriate vaccine the day they are eligible.
@Liz- if you are in NYS, all of the NY state sites are listing which vaccine is being offered on the website, and pretty much all NYS sites are Pfizer, if you are looking for a vaccine for your 16yr old. I am in the 30+ group that became eligible today and scheduled Pfizer at one of the NYS sites for mid-month.
You Americans don’t know how lucky you are (or do you?). As a Canadian, they are still vaccinating seniors only. They also are waiting 4 months to get the second shot.
Well… the U.S. is not really a monolith, at least in this regard. Here in the California Bay Area they’re only opening it up to an average of something like six to ten appointments a day, because the majority of the vaccine is being routed to Southern California where things are incredibly bad (whereas, here, exposure is comparatively low). They’re ultimately going to open appointments to other age brackets and the general public long before the majority of high-risk and disabled people have managed to get vaccinated, unfortunately. You’re right that we are lucky that much of our senior population is fully vaccinated, but almost nobody else here is. People stay up all night at their computers trying to land an appointment — it’s been a nightmare.
We made it through four years of Trump. Are we lucky?
So envious of anyone who can get that J&J shot! I tried and tried to get an appointment with Rite-Aid — the only local pharmacy that has it — but no dice, man.
In good news, as of today I’ve had the first dose of the Moderna vaccine (I qualified as “high risk” according to California guidelines in at least five different ways, lol). But our lease is ending — my husband and I *have* to move — so we’re traveling by vehicle cross-country only half-vaccinated. Now if we just had a house to move to…! 😬 In seriousness, though, I just feel fortunate to have a band-aid on my arm today.
I would love to get the J & J shot. I hate needles, so that would be perfect for me. I’m getting restless. My Mom got both of her shots via the NM registration and I am still waiting for mine.
I cried when I got my first dose of the Pfizer. I did not expect it to be so emotional (or emotional at all), but I was truly overwhelmed with gratitude.
If you’re planning to book your second shot through Walgreens, I’d start looking elsewhere in the meantime. I got my first Pfizer shot through Walgreens and have had lots of trouble trying to book a second shot. They told me that their system won’t guarantee anyone a second shot within the specified timeline and there’s no way to prioritize people who need their second dose to be a particular vaccine during a specific timeframe. This morning, I lucked out and was able to schedule my second shot through my employer (a University). Hopefully you all have better luck with Walgreens than I did!