Vaccinated Adventures
Here's a little background on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia. It apparently wasn't a race and has been quite dismal. There haven't been enough of the appropriate vaccines available. It's only been in the past couple of months since New South Wales entered a lockdown due to the Delta strain that the Federal Government thought maybe they should order more vaccines.
On Wednesday I entered the vaccination race after receiving my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I had a few concerns about the process of getting a vaccine, so thought I would answer some of the questions I had about the vaccination in a blog post.
How do you book?
I booked through this website:
Who is this link for?
It is currently for anyone aged 16 to 49 living in a New South Wales Local Government Area (LGA) of concern who wants to get Pfizer.
Can you just walk in without an appointment?
No.
What should I wear?
Something sleeveless or with sleeves that can be rolled up. And a mask, of course.
What should I take?
You will need a photo ID and your Medicare card. I was concerned about waiting for ages so took a book, water, snacks, and phone.
Where do you line up?
The hub where I received my vaccine was at Penrith Panthers. Here you line up outside under cover. Barriers indicate where to line up and people physically distanced.
How long does the process take?
From lining up to leaving the building it was an hour for me.
What is the process?
After lining up I showed I'd signed in with the QR code and showed my email for my appointment. I entered the building, sanitised my hands and went up an escalator. I then showed my drivers licence and Medicare card and answered some questions.
Then I went through to the next room and was given a little bottle of hand sanitiser and a raffle ticket. This was just to keep the vaccinations in order. I thought about acting like I'd won lotto when my number was called, but decided I wanted to seem kind of normal.
The woman who administered my vaccine led me into a room that had about 18 different stations where the vaccine was being given. After answering some more questions I double checked the label on the vaccine for the brand and date. I then received my vaccine, which didn't hurt at all. Cotton wool and a band-aid were put on my arm. Then I was given a sticker (yay!) and a label which said the time of my vaccine.
I waited in the next room for 15 minutes. I spoke to someone before I left that room who made sure I was feeling ok. Outside the room I provided the person there with my surname, then I exited the building.
It was very organised. I didn't even have time to read my book or get hungry enough for a snack.
Where you given any advice?
I was told by the person who administered the vaccine to drink plenty of water. I was also told I might have a sore arm and a headache.
How do you feel after getting your first dose?
I'm writing this 5 days after receiving my first Pfizer dose. My arm was sore for a couple of days. Kind of like I'd done a few too many push-ups. I also felt a little sluggish, but I'm not sure if that was from the vaccine or because it was the first time I'd been out in public for about 2 months.
I'm happy to have entered the vaccine race. I'm now waiting until October for my second dose.
How many selfies did you take when you got home?
Of course this was all just my experience at that time on that day. Hopefully getting vaccinated is smooth for everyone else. Stay safe everyone!
In the next blog post we will return to our regularly scheduled lockdown dress-up party posts.
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