COVID-19 Vaccination: My Experience

Our life drastically got impacted post COVID-19 invasion during the beginning of 2020. And the impact of the pandemic still continuing. During this period, we have seen lot of deaths around us, many of us lost near and dear ones causing lot of traumas. Global economy got affected.

But this virus has not shown any nepotism or bias while choosing it’s victim, it attacked rich and poor equally. Human consciousness perhaps got nearer to Truth – Death is very near, not that far as we think. Money cannot always prevent death.

But world as a whole got cleaner, purer. Human got caged and flora and fauna flourished.

But with all pros and cons, human spirit was roaring to survive. Never in history, vaccine for any disease was invented and made operational within a year. It’s a great achievement for mankind. And proud part being an Indian, India equally took part in this endeavor and was in forefront in coming out with vaccination like Covaxin and Covishield.

But human mind always gets dominated by either positive or negative influences, mostly negative. Rather than being a proud Indian that we as a nation developed vaccine for a dreaded virus, we got infected with negative information. I heard people talking negatively about vaccination and be away from it.

Negative information easily impacts our mind. When right window opened for my vaccination, I too was procrastinating with it. I saw our dear PM going ahead and took vaccination to stop negative publicity.

I was at Panchagani when I removed blockage of my mind and book slots in COWIN site to schedule vaccination for me and my wife. I realized though issues are there, we progressed as a nation. I booked my 1st dose at a Govt. hospital at Wai, 12 km from Panchagani. The vaccination process was well organized and I got my 1st jab within 3 hours. My heartfelt thanks to nurse, the person who was registering details of people arriving at jab center and other people who were keeping all a under discipline. Thanks to Indian Govt. for providing free vaccination to citizen.

Only 1 flaw I felt that there should be 2 lines – one for walk-ins and another for who booked via portal. It would have saved more time on both sides.

Problem started when date for 2nd dose arrived. No slots were available though our schedule dates were over by 2-3 days.

One day, I decided to go out with wife and to check all 3 probable vaccination centers nearby – Panchagani, Wai and Mahabaleshwar.

• Panchagani Municipal Hospital – saw the notice that medicine not available.

• Mission Hospital, Wai – we visited our 1st jab center but the look was deserted this time. Very few people were getting jab as scarcity of medicine was visible.

• HR hospital, Mahabaleshwar – we thought of taking a chance with HR Hospital. Hospital was very neat and clean but got to no vaccination was available that day.

We were feeling desperate when we would get our 2nd dose as time was running out.

One positive thing happened, we returned with a 24/7 phone number to enquire about vaccine availability.

Lesson Learnt – Take action and that action will lead to or open door for another action path.

I continued calling almost daily in morning and one day, the lady from other end said to come to hospital.

We reached within an hour. It was pleasant to see hospital authority organized the vaccination drive thoughtfully.

3 lines were created –

1. 1st dose

2. 2nd dose – Covishield

3. 2nd dose – Covaxin

Fig: Bel Air Hospital, Mahabaleshwar

I met Sanjay there, a hospital worker who was diligently maintaining line and guiding unruly public to maintain Covid appropriate distance. I saw public falling over each other and often breaking protocol. And Sanjay had to rush in and unnecessary argument would erupt. But Sanjay was doing his job steadfast and without compromising. He was the hero in my eyes that day for his dedication.

Fig: Sanjay - the real life hero

If we, public can not maintain Covid appropriate behavior in place like hospital, what would we do in other public places? And then we complain why our nation getting affected by Covid so much?

Apart from above discreet unruly incidents, rest all were organized very well.

We got our 2nd shots within 1 hour. I took few snaps of the hospital and nurse giving shot.

I was feeling happy thinking that we did our duty as a citizen to be safe and keep others safe and thanked Indian Govt, State Govt and Hospital authority and staff who made all these possible for common citizen.

Few pointers after taking vaccination:

• You may feel feverish, tired, nauseate or may not - both are ok. In both symptoms, vaccination is working and building up immune system. If you feel tired, take rest.

• Don't take any pain killers - consult doctor if fever/nauseate gets heavy

• Double dose vaccination does not mean that we can walk around freely and as we like. Vaccination takes time - couple of days to build immune system.

• Post vaccination also, we should continue wearing mask in public places and maintaining distance. It's safe for self and others too.

• Continue with precaution measure:

Mask + Distance + Frequent Sanitization + Avoid Public Gathering

If our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi can take initiative to inspire and motivate others to get vaccinated (we saw in his latest 'Mann Ki Baat'), we can too take the initiative in our level.

After Chat with PM Modi During Mann ki Baat, MP Resident Gets Himself Vaccinated Against COVID-19 (msn.com)

If you have not taken vaccination yet, please go for it and have it and encourage others.

If you have taken vaccination, please encourage others to have it.

Hope you are already doing so, ARE YOU?