Janice and Robert Brown, formerly of Fredonia, have moved to Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee resident Robert Brown, who previously lived in Fredonia for 26 years up until last year, heard about a COVID-19 vaccine trial in Knoxville, about 45 minutes from his home, in which the company AstraZeneca was testing their version of the vaccine.

Wanting to do his best for the world, Brown volunteered and was accepted as a member of the trial. Brown had seen a lot of just how bad the virus was and wanted to do his part to give back.

“I’ve seen the devastating effects the virus has had and I knew sitting around wasn’t an option,” he said. “I knew there could be a risk but I also knew that there was risk in not doing anything. Volunteering was the least I can do, especially when you consider that first responders, health care workers, teachers and essential workers have to deal with a lot more than I do doing a trial.”

What started as a desire to help other people may have ended up helping him.

Brown, who participated in the trial in November, started to feel ill a couple weeks ago, as he developed a headache. At first he thought nothing of it, as he gets headaches from sleeping wrong or other various things. But the next day, the headache remained and was joined by fatigue, a cough, a diminished appetite. Brown knew something was wrong and, out of caution, went to his local Urgent Care, where he tested positive for COVID-19.

The situation is more complicated than his vaccine being ineffective. As part of Astrozenica’s research into their vaccine, only 65% of people who participated received the actual vaccine, while 35% only got a placebo shot. From there it may be obvious that Brown had to have received the placebo vaccine, but it isn’t that clear.

“They said they couldn’t tell me if I actually got the vaccine, but they asked if I felt symptoms after I got the injection and I said I had fatigue and wooziness,” Brown said. “They shook their heads, implying that I probably did have it. They also talked a lot about how vaccines don’t have 100% efficacy rates and what a lot of people don’t realize is the vaccine doesn’t make you totally safe.”

Because Brown experienced symptoms consistent with those who did receive the vaccine, he’s assuming he was part of the 65% and that, while he caught it, the vaccine is still doing some work.

“I wanted to do it to help others but it may have ended up helping me,” Brown said. “My symptoms are much less severe than I’d expect. They’re not lasting very long, and I have some fatigue left but not as much as I’d have expected considering I only had one day of what I’d consider moderate symptoms. The vaccine can help reduce symptoms and reduce the severity to not have to go to the hospital if you do still contract it.”

Even having COVID-19, the clinic where Brown went to get the vaccine is still monitoring him. Brown, 58, reported just mild symptoms and only had one day of more severe symptoms. As part of the monitoring from the clinic, he was wearing an armband that gives him constant updates of his vitals, like his respiratory rate, pulse, and O2 levels, which would alert him if his health started to deteriorate. Despite him catching COVID-19, Brown said the experience of getting the vaccine has been interesting to be involved with.

“It’s interesting to be part of the project,” Brown said. “They’ve been on top of it and it’s neat to be part of it and I just want to make a difference any way I can.”

Brown feels fortunate for how quickly his symptoms have turned around, and wants to warn the rest of the population that even if you get the vaccine, it doesn’t make you invincible, and you should still exercise caution and do your best to be safe.

“And what the general public may not realize, but need to be made aware of, is that although the vaccine may not totally eliminate your chance of getting the virus, it can certainly help reduce your symptoms and aid in your recovery time,” Brown said. “Again, although I can’t say with 100% certainty that I received the vaccine, I feel very fortunate for how quickly I’ve been recovering.”