Buzz
Booking your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 feels like finding a golden ticket in a Wonka bar. (Actually, it’s even better, because gaining immunity against a pandemic-causing virus far outweighs a tour of a candy factory where participants are encouraged to lick the wallpaper.)
When you're all set to head to the vaccination site, you might be so excited about receiving your first dose (or just getting out of the house) that you don’t even consider what to wear. Or perhaps you’ve spent ages picking out the perfect outfit to ensure your eyes really pop in that vaccine selfie you’ve been planning to share for months. (It’s probably equivalent to 500 ‘I Voted’ sticker posts.) Or maybe you're helping a parent, grandparent, or neighbor to their appointment and want everything to go smoothly.
No matter how much or how little effort you've put into selecting your Vax Day outfit, here are a few important things to remember as you get dressed before your highly anticipated appointment.
Choose clothing with short sleeves or no sleeves (at least as your base layer).
If you do nothing else, make sure to wear something that allows easy access to your upper arm for the vaccination—whether it’s a short-sleeve, sleeveless top, or something that can be easily slid off your shoulder (like the elegant lady in the image above).
With so many people to vaccinate, you don't want to waste time struggling with some awkward one-arm-in-one-arm-out scenario. When your turn arrives, you want to be ready with your arm bare and accessible.
So, if you were planning to take a vaccine selfie in a long-sleeve turtleneck, it might be time to rethink your outfit choice. This could be the perfect opportunity to wear that cold shoulder top you've been keeping in your drawer since 2016.
This doesn’t mean you need to wear a summery shirt in the middle of winter—layer up and stay warm for every stage of the process. At the very least, make sure to throw on an undershirt, because...
Expect the vaccination to occur in an open space.
Unless you’re told otherwise, it’s safest to assume you’ll be getting your vaccine in an open, semi-public area—like a stadium, high school gym, pharmacy, or clinic corridor. The site may offer some kind of privacy barrier—or you might be lucky and get the shot in a private examination room—but when planning your outfit and layers, assume you’ll be partially undressing in front of others. (If that doesn’t happen, it'll be a pleasant surprise.)
Or, if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to model for Botticelli, here’s one option:
Be ready to wait in line.
There are many configurations for COVID vaccination sites, and some may involve waiting outside. In the winter. Somewhere like Massachusetts. No matter where you are, indoors or outdoors, make sure to wear comfortable shoes. (And pants—something soft with stretch is a good choice.)
If there's even the slightest chance of waiting outside, be sure to bring along a warm coat, socks, hat, gloves, scarf—anything that will help make the wait more comfortable.
Don’t forget your face mask.
By now, wearing a face mask has likely become second nature whenever you leave the house, and your vaccination appointment is no exception. Plus, if you end up waiting outdoors, a cozy cloth mask can also serve to keep your face warm.
