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Former Houston mayoral candidate Bill King describes what its like to participate in coronavirus vaccine trial

HOUSTON – In 2019, Bill King ran for mayor of Houston. In 2020, he is helping in the effort to develop another COVID-19 vaccine by participating in the clinical trial for Astra Zeneca.

“I’m a big believer in vaccines,” King said. “I think they are a miracle.”

In fact, King is so gung-ho about finding vaccines and wiping out the coronavirus, he actually signed up to take part in the trials of four different vaccines -- Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

“I knew they were going to need some seniors in the trial, and a lot of seniors are going to be reluctant to do it,” King said. “I’m lucky in that I don’t have any pre-existing conditions and I’m healthy and I thought it would be a good thing to volunteer for.”

King got his first dose of the vaccine a month ago and said he did experience a number of side effects over the first 48 hours, including chills with no fever, a headache and body aches. He said he felt like he was coming down with something that basically never came.

“I had a pretty good bundle of them the first time through,” King said. “I had body aches, real fatigue. I mean the second day I slept five hours during the middle of the day, which is something highly unusual for me. I had headaches, some chills, some flushing, but 48 hours later, I was fine again.”

King said that as the war to defeat COVID-19 moves ahead, he is happy he was able to do his part to defeat this killer.

“This is the start of the end for this deadly virus”, King said.


About the Author
Bill Spencer headshot

Emmy-winning investigative reporter, insanely competitive tennis player, skier, weightlifter, crazy rock & roll drummer (John Bonham is my hero). Husband to Veronica and loving cat father to Bella and Meemo.

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