Hello, this will be quite a long post ahead, because I will be sharing my journey of COVID vaccination journey.
When the government rolls out the vaccination program at the beginning of the year, I am quite afraid of it too.
“What am I afraid of?” I asked myself.
What if after I have the jab, will I experience severe side effects?
Although there are very few death cases reported for the vaccine, “What if”, what if I’m just the unlucky one? My mind started to spin. I have a family, what if I’m hospitalized, what’s happened next, will I trouble my family member if I’m the unlucky one? Then I decided to put it on hold until I have the courage to do so.
Well, I have my flu shots done in the most recent years, so I was definite that my fear was not fear of injection, but fear of the unknown.
The government started to roll out more awareness campaigns to promote vaccination. First phase was to get all front liners vaccinated, second phase to roll out for senior citizens and the group that is more severely impacted by COVID virus, then the third phase for the rest of the Malaysians. It was all a well-thought-out plan, however the fear of injection is still definitely there.
It was during March 2021 where mass vaccination started. More and more friends around me that are being vaccinated. (because they are the hospital personnel aka front liners) It seems like it went smoothly, and I don’t even hear of any adverse reaction that occurred so far. In the hospital that I’m working at, I see all healthcare personnel walking around happily and healthily after getting the injection.
“How lucky they are, they got the jab and no problem”, I thought. Then I started to have conversation with my colleague if he is willing to get vaccinated. He says, “Why ah? You afraid ka? I already registered liao luuu.” “You see those hospital team, kena vaccinated also no issue. Won’t have issue one lahhh. Some more they have to drive themselves back after vaccine.”
Come to think of it, he is right too! But I better discuss it with my wife before I even press the button to submit. But before that, let me get the statistics about the vaccine right first before I even convince myself to ask her about the opinion on vaccination. The inner struggle was real. It was about that time that community pharmacist is able to fast-track to get the jab as we are part of the healthcare professionals too.
2 weeks have passed, some of my friends have even completed the second dose, none complain about the adverse reaction after jab. Only pain at site of injection which is bearable. Fever only occurred on the second dose, which is manageable with some fever medicine. Sounds easy enough. But that doesn’t convince me still. During this time, some news about the adverse reaction towards (A) company pops up. The people around me sentiment changed from “OK lets get vaccinated” to “Let’s have a look first”. Few days consecutively, the side effects of Company (A) keeps on repeating on the news and newspaper. All are afraid of the side effects. I’m afraid of the side effect too.
Later on, the government released a press statement stating that Company (A) vaccine will be furthered reviewed for their safety profile before the country starts bringing it in, which I believe relief the resistance towards vaccination.
Another week has passed, and it has come to the final closing date for the fast track for community pharmacy.
Weighing between both having vaccination vs not having is hard. The sudden flashes of all the dreams of not to worry about COVID suddenly flash across my mind, the dreams where we can bring our kids out to the malls and parks without having a face mask on, the dreams of able to travel interstate, the dreams of moving on. The impact of getting COVID seems like become too much of a burden to everyone. So I vote for a yes to get vaccinated. And the discussion with my wife turns out to be very positive. So I registered for it.
The process of registering in MySejahtera is very easy. I’m surprised. We don’t have to key in lengthy information.
Few clicks and I’m done. It was a very efficient process to be honest.
2 weeks later I got my call for my vaccination appointment (because I’m part of the frontliner), and I was being notified of the time and location for my vaccination NEXT WEEK 3pm. I was fortunate that I was too tired to be feared of getting the jab. I was told to come 30minutes earlier to queue for it.
Day of vaccination at Kompleks Komuniti
When I arrived at the Kompleks Komuniti at 2pm, there was already a small queue. Not many people, but just nice. It was very well organized from the outside. Everyone was queuing up and wait for our own turn. 230pm sharp, we are told to go inside the hall, while maintaining our physical distancing.
First station, we are asked to fill up a consent form. It was pretty straightforward, a YES and NO answer and fill in own details and signature. Then we proceed into a hall and waited for our numbers to be called. All of the chairs are very well organized and maintaining physical distancing.
Second station is the screening counter for all of our details filled up in the form.
Third station is the verification for all of our details.
Fourth station is the vaccination station. We sat in rows and waited for our turn. The process was really fast and efficient. Within a few minutes after entering the hall, it was my turn already. I went to the pop-up tent, and I was asked if I’m feeling OK. All is well. I distracted myself with some light music and look away from my arm. There was a slight pinch on my upper arm, and next thing I know, it was done. Then I was told to scan MySejahtera for the vaccine batch number stick in front of me.
Fifth station is where we are being brief of common side effects, which include headache, slight fever, muscle ache. We need to report if we are experiencing severe side effects like shortness of breath, or severe palpitations, all done within MySejatera App. Next we are being guided to an observation area.
I looked at my watch, it shown 3:07pm. I’m amazed by how fast the whole process was. In 30mins, they have vaccinated close to 20 people. All well done in a orderly manner.
After 15 mins waiting time, I was told to get my second appointment schedule, which is 3 weeks later. By 3:30pm I’m all done taking my own selfie and driving myself home.
Overall I’m very amazed by how organized the whole process flow is. There are little queuing up apart from filling up the forms and waiting for our turn for the injection. The place was very well organized and clean. Kudos to the vaccination team!
Throughout the course of vaccination, I experience pain at the site of injection the second day and subsided on the third day, which feels like an overworked shoulder workout. No fever, No other muscle aches or pain. So I’m looking forward to completing the second dose of the vaccine.
I’m looking forward to a world that is COVID-free.
Note: There are few things to take note of during registration for COVID vaccine.
- Individuals who are immunocompromised, autoimmune patients, pregnant women or those breastfeeding please seek consultation from your doctor before you register for COVID vaccine.
- Individuals who have existing allergies to any medicine, will be re-directed to hospitals to receive the vaccination.
Disclaimer: This post is based on personal experience, views and thoughts throughout my own journey. Please speak with your doctors if you have any queries.
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source: https://www.facebook.com/KelvinKRPh
