My mom on queue for her vaccine.

Last Wednesday my mother finally got vaccinated with Jansen's COVID19 vaccine. We went to the vaccination site and brought with us her identification card, the screen shot of her QR code as proof of her online registration, a bottle of water, a pen, and some candies. 

The vaccination site was a 10 minute drive away from our residence. Thankfully our neighbor was willing to drive and wait for us as it was raining that day. There were four lines in the vaccination site, one for overseas foreign workers, one for persons with disability (PWD), one for individuals with co-morbidity, and one for senior citizens. We started queueing at about 12:35 in the afternoon and was finally called after an hour to fill out some forms. 

We waited for another 5 to 10 minutes before we were called to queue for the blood pressure check and assessment, this took another hour or two, and then finally my Mother was interviewed by a physician and queued again for another 5 - 10 minutes before she was inoculated. Immediately after the Vaccine was administered a personnel from the site monitored her blood pressure, and since it was normal (130/80) she was allowed to go home. 

The entire process took 4 hours! And so for those who have not yet received their vaccine or are waiting for your schedule, here are some of the things you should have with you:

1. Food and water. Luckily my mom assumed that there will be a long queue so we had a big lunch before leaving home. But if you should find yourself unable to eat anything at home, better bring some with you because it is really going to take a while before you get your Shot.

2. Bring your own pen and pertinent identification so that you won't be inconvenienced with having to look around for people you can borrow from.

3. And last but not the least bring a hefty amount of patience! Others will be queuing and it will get a bit hot and boring waiting to be called. There is a virus going around so striking a conversation is something you might have to avoid.

Ask the medical professional who will inject about what kind of vaccine you will be receiving. You have the right to know. Most vaccines will require you to return to the site for a second shot. Fortunately, my mother got Jansen which only requires one shot to be fully vaccinated.

It has been a week now and so far my mother did not experience any adverse reaction from the vaccine. There are a lot of people out there who are still afraid to take the shot. But I hope you find the courage to take it, not for yourself, but for the people you care about.