I got my Pfizer Vaccine for Covid-19

April 14, 2021. We got our first dose of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. It was quite smooth-sailing -- from booking a schedule, to arriving at the vaccination venue, to post-vaccine chilling at the waiting area. I would like to share how we got our Covid-19 vaccine here in Ontario, Canada.

Here are the 5 Steps to Covid-19 Vaccination Process:

Step 1.

Book a schedule online for your first dose and second dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Go to https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ for booking. Make sure you have your health card ready when you book. Also mark on your calendar your availability so it will be easy for you to choose the dates when you start booking. The website will also populate the closest vaccination location.

Step 2.

Be at least 10-minute early on the day of vaccination. Have your health card ready too. There are staff and security who will guide you where to line up when you reach the area. For us, we booked at Paramount Centre, former Hershey’s Centre. The staff and security are really efficient on updating you on the ongoing activities happening inside. During our vaccine day, there were some system issues which delayed us for about 30minutes. But the staff gave us a heads-up so we were not left in the dark. There were securities too, checking each individual on queue making sure your name is on the list.

Step 3.

Once you are inside the building, the line up continues until you reach another staff who will verify your identification. Then you go inside the huge gym, temporarily converted to vaccination area. Desks are spread from end to end with one vaccinator per desk. A staff will guide each individual which desk is ready by holding up a sign that says “READY”. The vaccinator will get your health card, and confirm information. He or she will ask you to read the notes posted in front, and will ask if you have allergies or taking any medicines. If you have anything to declare with regards to your health condition, then this is the right time to say it.

Step 4.

After injecting you with the vaccine (in Paramount we have the Pfizer Vaccine), they will ask you to go to a waiting area and wait for 15 minutes. They need to put you under observation for any adverse effect or any immediate reactions from the vaccine. Also, if you have not booked yet your second dose, there are also staff waiting to assist you with your booking. Oh, before I forgot they will give you a sticker that says “I got my COVID-19 vaccine” and a 1-page information paper on the following:

• What should I do right after getting the vaccine?

• What should I expect in the next few days?

• When should I return for my second dose of vaccine?

• Things to remember after you receive the vaccine

Step 5.

After 15 minutes of waiting, and there is no reaction, you did not mutate into a spider or wolverine, then you are free to leave.

On my day 1, after receiving the vaccine, I felt the soreness of the injection area and around it which includes my left shoulder, arm and lower nape area. I also have slight headache and I feel a bit tired and sleepy from the usual. Nothing that an acetaminophen or ibuprofen could not fix.

There you have it. Please, please, please book your vaccine shots now and check if you are already included in the list.

B. Alamer