14 June 2021 - I was all prepared to go out despite the fact that we were encouraged to stay at home given that the nation was still on a mini lockdown crafted nicely as phase 2 (heightened alert). Don't get me wrong, I am all supportive for the government's measures to fight COVID-19 but I was duly assigned by the Ministry of Health to visit Nee Soon East Community Club for a procedure; yes, the same one that many countries are trying their best to push their citizens to undergo.
Vaccination - a key step to counter the pandemic that has tortured us for more than a year; crumbling businesses, driving up unemployment rate and worsening the lives of many. There's an urgent need to get back to pre-pandemic normalcy!
As my slot for my first shot was scheduled on a weekday, right after lunch, there was hardly a crowd. The outdoor seating was for family member / friend who would need to wait for at least 30 minutes; a duration set to spot for any acute allergic reactions towards the vaccine, for the persons getting vaccinated.
After taking my temperature and showing my identification card and the SMS showing my appointment slot, I was asked to register at a designated counter.
My counter - R10. Standard questions were asked; whether I have medical condition, any recent surgery and allergic towards drugs etc. No, no, no. I did have a medical condition when I was younger but things have been fine for about two decades now and doctors had so far not seen it as an issue whenever I raised it. Sticker was printed to ensure all information (name, address, IC number, contact etc) were in order before I was sent off. As vaccination is free, proper records should be kept.
Sent to this section to wait for my turn to be vaccinated but as can be seen, there wasn't anyone which means I was sent straight to one of the twelve vaccination booths.
Boxes of sanitizers were staring at me as I took a seat in the tiny vaccination booth. Bet the small space would have been mentally tormenting for the vaccinators!
Excitement grew when I saw the plastic kidney bowl with an alcohol swap, cotton wool, band-aid and the most important injection syringe containing the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine which has an efficacy rate of 95%.
Short and sweet; okay, maybe not so much on the sweetness. Even though it's not like my first time being vaccinated against viruses / diseases, this felt different as COVID-19 had severely affected our life. Got a slip of paper with a time indicated; 2.25pm.
I would have to stay at this observation area for 30 minutes until 2.25pm; in case of any acute allergic reaction that could be assisted immediately. Thank god for the invention of smartphones as I knew exactly what to do; attended to work emails, and then played Homescapes!
2.25pm - my name was promptly announced over the PA system to proceed to another counter where I collected my vaccination card with the vaccination record and the appointment date for the second dose. Overall, process was quick, efficient and handled with the utmost professional care by those on duty.
Side effect wise - nothing much from me. The injection site was a bit swollen and felt tender on the first day, worsened slightly on the second and that's it. I was all well on the third day. As per advice by the older generation, I drank a lot of water and had a few fresh coconuts too! Hope that the second dose, said to have more pronounced side effects, would be as smooth sailing!
Are you still deliberating over whether to take the vaccine? In my opinion, there's a risk factor for everything and you would have to make the decision since vaccination is not mandatory. For those with medical conditions, refer to the above and in doubt, check with your family doctor.
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