Joining the Elite of Vaccination Club
By Dr Monisha Sharma
Well to say preceding year of 2020 was a tough one will be an understatement. This period of entire Covid -19 pandemic was a testing time, not only for the entire government machinery but to a great extent also for the small nuclear unit of my family too.
Its been quite a ride as this Covid-19 challenge helped me to discover my newself where after conquering my fears I found a resilient Durga like power in me. I could relate to the warfront Armymen when I would enter the covid zone wearing PPE kit with my fellow team supporting & encouraging each other. I found inspiration from almost all people around – The society gate guard , The Policemen on the road performing his duties & the Nurses of my Hospital putting in relentless work hours in this troublesome time with their extreme compassion & devotion.
I received great care support & understanding from my husband & family who were as a backbone all through this challenging time.
Culmination of all the mayhem seemed near when vaccination for covid 19 was announced. A very well organized & efficient Govt heath care system is ensuring that vaccination reaches one & all. Being 1st line care providers as Healthworkers our names were provided by Indraprastha Apollo Hospital to the concerned Health services department in alphabetical order & Vaccination program was quick to go underway from January 2021.
For the schedule of vaccination I got a message on my mobile from the CoWin site informing of the vaccination time and date, it also carried a advisory to bring along a photo ID card.This was 2 days prior to the date of vaccination. Later, follow up calls also came on my mobile so as to ensure that I don’t miss my appointment.
On the morning of my vaccination day , I was reminded by my department to bring along copies of my Aadhaar Card & PAN card. To my surprise, there was a queue for the vaccination process & many Volunteers were around to guide and make us comfortable at the vaccination room. It was a very well organized and well managed system .
1st counter was to check my name per Aadhaar & PAN card & tally my name in the list of Vaccine recipients for the day. At the next counter a person seated on a computer checked my details in its database before I was asked to move to a designated enclosure, where a pleasant smiling nurse welcomed me & further asked if I have any allergies to report.She also informed me that CoviShield will be administered on my left arm & post a gentle jab of vaccine the nurse politely requested me to rest & wait in the waiting lounge for the next half an hour. This was to check for any adverse effect of the vaccine. To my delight here I met my dear friend Dr Manisha Chakravorty who had already received her Covid vaccine & we both had a nice time laughing & clicking multiple Selfies around Covid placards. Later I got a congratulatory message on my mobile for receiving the 1st dose. This message also carries a helpline number & a link to update or report any queries/ adverse effects .Most of my fellow colleagues in INDIA and USA have not had any major after effects .
After this vaccination I feel so much better emotionally as it is a step to safety for myself, my family and society . I still ,have to be protocol savvy towards Wearing Mask, Regular Handwash,Using Sanitizer & keeping Social Distance till the rest of the people around me are protected . Covid 19 Vaccination ,is the largest adult vaccination programme of our times which is brought to us by an efficient and organized system. I am proud to be a part of this drive and will encourage you also to be a member of this ELITE CLUB .
