(Seguin) — A local man isn’t only promoting that you get the COVID-19 vaccine, he’s also showing you that he’s evidence that everything will be okay after you do. Helping in the fight against the COVID-19 virus is Eddie Davila.
Most folks might not know but Davila was among the individuals who volunteered in clinical trials for the vaccine early last fall. Today, Davila is sharing that experience so that those who have not yet received their shots will find themselves in line during this
Saturday’s free COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Davila says he’s living proof that the shot not only works, but is safe.
“I was actually a guinea pig for the Moderna vaccine. Back in
September of last year, I was able to sign up and actually get picked
as one of the first ones to get the Moderna vaccine in the country.
Fortunately, we had the trials in San Antonio. I actually got the
first dose in September and the second dose in October so I’ve had the vaccine since October of last year and you and I joked, I didn’t grow a third ear. I don’t have a third eyeball or any of that good stuff
but I will tell you, I had no side effects. There are no other super
strengths that have come about or super hero powers that have come
about. But I will tell you what I was able to get is I was able to get
comfortable around visiting my relatives, around visiting with people, around speaking to people — just a little more confident in the fact that I had been vaccinated,” said Davila.
Having been vaccinated longer than most, Davila says it has allowed
him to encourage others to not put off getting vaccinated.
“I will tell you for about two days, right after I got the second
dose, I was tired for two days. Not just worn out but I was tired. By
9:30 p.m. and you know me, we don’t go to bed until late at night. My wife and I are up until 11 and 11:30 p.m. just getting ready and
winding down but by 9:30, I was done. But, it didn’t stop me from
working. It didn’t stop me from participating from any of the kids’
activities. I was okay. There was a little discomfort in the sense
that I had a minor headache but I will tell you that there are no
lingering effects from the vaccine that I have experienced thus far,”
said Davila.
Davila says although the number of cases is slowly trending downward, the risk is still very real. He says the vaccines that have already been administered are what are helping to bring these numbers down.
“One thing that I learned going through the process that really stuck
with me is that this pandemic or this COVID-19, it attacks your body. It finds your weakest link in your body and it attacks it. People are getting the COVID and they pass away and it takes their life because of a heart condition — well, they didn’t know they had a heart condition or they have kidney issues or they have some kind of other organ failure or situations that they were not aware of. This COVID will find it for you and attack it and it has the tendency to kill
you,” said Davila.
Davila’s desire to protect others is what has helped prompt the
upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinic at OLG. Not only will shots be available for free to anyone who wants them but they will be offered to the latest group of individuals who are now eligible for the
vaccine. Davila says the Pfizer vaccine will be administered to anyone 12 and older. He says this weekend is the start to again feeling safe.
“That’s really why I believe that we’ve got to get vaccinated. We are
fixing to hit the summer time. You are going to travel. I’m going to
travel. People are going to travel to see us. They are going to come
here from all over the place. When you go out, you need to mitigate
that risk. This is one way to mitigate this risk. I’ve learned a lot
going through the process because this COVID-19 surprised us. It took us by surprise. We had no idea how to handle this. As a community, as a society, in the medical field, any of that, it just took us by surprise,” said Davila.
The free COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 3
p.m. Saturday in the OLG parking lot and Parish Hall. No registration or sign-up are needed. All folks have to do is simply show up for their first dose. OLG is located at 409 W. Krezdorn St.