Vaccination day finally arrives for Captain America mini-me
Morgan MacFarlane waited a long time for Nov. 29 to come. That’s the day the 10-year-old from Saskatoon finally got her first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“It feels great because now I can feel comfortable being with my parents,” said MacFarlane, who sometimes goes by the moniker Kid Cap in deference to comic book character Captain America. “I feel safe now. I was worried I would get other people sick if I got COVID.”
Getting vaccinated, and encouraging others to do the same, has been a priority for this Grade 5 student.
MacFarlane gained fame this fall for her V for Vaccination initiative, modelled after a fictitious campaign involving her alter ego, Captain America. With the support of her step-dad, Steve Boyd, MacFarlane launched a social media drive dressed as Captain America to encourage others to get vaccinated.
Amongst those taking note were Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who sent a letter of thanks and encouragement; several physicians, including Canadian Medical Association President Dr. Katherine Smart and SHA’s Dr. Susan Shaw, who sent photos and messages of support; and local police officers and fire fighters, whose photos are featured on MacFarlane’s Twitter feed. MacFarlane was also profiled in a number of media stories.
MacFarlane said getting the COVID-19 shot was pretty much a non-event. She went back to school afterwards and played hockey in the evening. “All I felt was the fluid going in my arm and a little tingle.
My arm wasn’t sore at all. You just feel normal.”
She said the five-year-old getting his shot at a station near her wasn’t bothered either. “He didn’t even flinch.”
While keeping herself and others safe is her No. 1 reason for getting vaccinated, playing hockey would rank No. 2.
“I heard if you don’t get vaccinated you can’t play hockey and that’s my favourite sport,” said MacFarlane who plays defense in her age division and is an affiliate for an under-13 team.
Although she’s not eligible for her next vaccination until eight weeks after her first, she said the best present she could get for Christmas would be her second vaccination. A guitar would be good, too.
She plans to get a booster shot, too, if one becomes available for kids.
“You’re going to be like a porcupine with all those needles,” said Boyd.
“Yup,” said MacFarlane.