Getting vaccinated against Covid 19 has become a thing of utmost priority for everyone, as that’s the only way we can protect ourselves. I was waiting eagerly for the vaccination to begin for 18+ groups and the moment it happened, logged in to Cowin website to book my slot. But finding a slot for vaccination in this category was no less than winning a lottery ticket, as slot weren’t easily available. I even joined a telegram group to get information about vaccination and my phone used to keep buzzing throughout the day with notification alerts. At one point I was so frustrated that I gave up on vaccination.
Then one day, randomly while
checking the website, I found a slot for first dose, my happiness knew no
bound, when I was able to book a slot for myself. I received an SMS on my phone
about my vaccination schedule and I used to keep checking it whether, it was
for real or not?
On the day for vaccination, I
decided to go alone and got ready but my dad said he would accompany me. I told
him, I will manage by myself but he was adamant, so we went together to the
vaccination center. There was little crowd there but the parking area was
relatively free, so I was bit relaxed. My center was at a government school so
I had ample place for everything.
After initial verification I was
given a token number and directed to one of the class room, it was huge. That
classroom took me back to school days when we used to sit in benches and look
at blackboards. Fortunately people who had gathered for vaccination there, were
sensible enough to maintain physical distancing unlike at other places.
After waiting for almost an hour,
my token number was called and I went another building, where once again my
details were verified. They even asked few question about allergies and did I
get covid in the past 30 days? Since my response was No, I was directed to the
vaccination room. There two staff were vaccinating two person at a given time. My
number also came and I took my seat and I was inoculated with first dose.
Immediately after inoculation, I
was directed to observation room for the next 30 minutes. I took a corner side
in that room, as it relatively empty. For the next 30 minutes, I was glued to
phone, reading articles and chatting with friends. After 30 minutes, the staff
in the room called my name and told me to go, I thanked her and left the room.
The moment I stepped out of that
building, saw dad waiting for me near the exit point. While walking towards the
parking space, I felt little discomfort but the moment got into car, everything
vanished into thin air.
I had already kept my clothes in
bathroom and towel outside, so that I can enter the house in towel and leave my
clothes in water to be washed later. After shower, I was all fine and put the
clothes in washing machine. I visited cowin website and downloaded my
certificate, a must in some cases.
After lunch, had the medicine
which was given to me at the vaccination center. I drank lot of water that day
to keep myself hydrated, a suggestion give to me by my cousin. Later in the evening,
I could feel little pain in the arm where I was injected. I retired to bed
little early that day but next day, when I got up, I could feel my head was
heavy and was not feeling great. I was aware about it, as I had already spoken
to my cousins who got inoculated before me.
By afternoon, I felt little
feverish so I had the next dose of the medicine and slept in afternoon, rare
gesture by me, unless I am too tired. After getting up in evening, I was still
little drowsy and by 8 pm, I developed severe body ache, especially lower back.
I get such aches only during fever but that night I was not feverish but the
pain was dominant.
After struggling with pain for
two hours, I slept off. Day two was little better but not completely fine for
me but better when compared to day one. Pain on the arm was there, so I ensured
no one touches that part of my body. Still mom touched that particular point
accidently and I was forced to endure the pain.
Other than heaviness of head and
pain in arm, day two was fine for me and I was also able to sleep at night
without any body aches. On day three, I was all fine.
I would like to
thank all
staffs who are part of this mass vaccination drive, it’s not easy but these
people are working tirelessly for a covid free India.
