SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) – A South Bay family who took part in the COVID-19 vaccine trials, is now sharing their story about the vaccine.

As part of the trials, the family says they didn’t know if they were given the actual Pfizer vaccine or a placebo. 

The Eisenmann family says they volunteered in the process to help people get back to their normal lives. 

Soon, millions of COVID-19 vaccines will begin to flow to states across the country, and into the arms of Americans looking to protect themselves from coronavirus. 

The vaccine will be given in two doses. 

Jeff Eisenman and his family were among thousands of volunteers who took part in trials for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 

“I’ve had a flu shot before and this really turned out to be like a flu shot, except I got it twice,”

Eisenman says he’s not sure if he and his daughter received the actual vaccine or a placebo. 

“I did have side effects that were like a flu shot. I didn’t have any side effects other than soreness in my arms but nothing that I couldn’t handle.”   

Dr. Bob Wachter with UCSF says side effects muscle aches, fever, and fatigues. 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are minor side effects like that there certainly were in the trials. We have all the data from the trials. You can look at it from the FDA, we’ll continue to follow it to make sure it’s safe.” 

Eisenman says he knows some people are skeptical about taking the vaccine but hopes people would be encouraged to take it by seeing him.  

His wife, Dusta, a nurse also participated in the trial. 

On the front lines of the pandemic, she says without it, more lives will continue to be impacted. 

“I think all of us, we want our lives back. We, our lives back for our kids, we want our neighbors to go back to work. We want our kids back in school.  We can’t want all of those things without participating and doing our part. ”  

Because the long term impacts of the virus are still unknown, Jeff and his family say they are in constant contact with Pfizer officials.

Jeff and Dusta both had mild side effects including fatigue and soreness. Ally, however, didn’t have any side effects, leading her to believe she either received the placebo or that her age made her less susceptible to side effects.

The family is encouraging others to trust science and receive the vaccine when it is available.