If you missed our Part 1 of this pharmacists COVID-19 vaccination experience sharing series, here’s the link for you to catch up (Part 1).

This round, we have three COVID-19 vaccine champions, Vincent, Dione and Renee. Vincent and Dione are community pharmacists who received their vaccines on 16th April at a community complex and 21st April at a private hospital respectively. Meanwhile Renee is a pharmacist in a private hospital who received her vaccine on 18th March in her hospital.   

Step 1: Registration

Let’s have a listen to how these pharmacists registered for their COVID-19 vaccines which may be slightly different from the general public. 

V: Registration of a community pharmacist into the vaccination program is pretty similar to the public. We have to do it through MySejahtera app and have to answer all the assessments. I still remember I was pretty excited for the enrollment as I firmly believe vaccination is the only way to put a stop to this pandemic. However, this was where things became uncertain. At that time, the government had not listed community pharmacists as part of the frontliners to be vaccinated in the first phase of our national immunisation program (PICK). I was pretty dumbfounded at that time as I found it difficult to digest the fact that one of the most accessible healthcare providers to the public was left out. How are we supposed to consult or educate the public on PICK if we have not even received it? Nevertheless, we felt relieved when the government made an amendment to this decision,after being heavily pressured by many health experts and organizations (notably MPS), and to include us into the aforementioned PICK stage. Then we were required to fill up our particulars through a survey conducted by our MPS and as per understanding, this compiled list will be submitted to the government. The sky has finally become sunny again. 

D: As a community pharmacist, we have to register for the COVID-19 vaccination through MySejahtera app and MPS google form, where I had to key in my License A details, after community pharmacists are listed in the first phase of PICK as mentioned previously by Vincent. 

R: Initially, my head of department will gather the consent of staff who are interested in the vaccination in order to estimate the number of candidates. All staff will have to register in MySejahtera app as usual. We are also informed by the hospital to register at ‘PKD Petaling COVID-19 Vaksin’ website with a given timeline. The risk assessment in this website is more specific compared to the ones in the MySejahtera app.

Step 2: Get your appointment date

This step will definitely take some time from the date you register for the vaccine. Be patient and remember to check your MySejahtera regularly so you don’t miss out your vaccination date (which happened to some poor peeps out there). 

V:  After all these uncertainties, I finally received a call from Jabatan Kesihatan Wilayah Persekutuan dan Kuala Lumpur (JKWPKL) to confirm my interest in receiving the vaccines (only License A holders are being considered) and the answer was a straight YES. Kudos to our diligent colleague in the public sector, I received another call not long after for my appointment! A clear explanation was given on the date, venue, and time of my appointment. The lady who called will always have my respect as she maintained a very good manner when speaking to me and was patient with my questions. God knows how many participants she had called before me. (PS: my MySejahtera was only updated two days prior to appointment date, so check yours daily)

D: After waiting for 2 months, I finally received a notification from MySejahtera on my first dose appointment. I was very nervous at first as people are spreading fake news and fear through social media. I had to admit it did affect me a little but thanks to my virology friend who cleared all my doubts which gave me much reassurance. Then yes, I confirmed my appointment in the app!

R: In view of the fact that my current workplace is recognized as one of the vaccination centres, indeed there are a lot of scheduling and planning going on behind the scenes as they will not only have to vaccinate our own hospital staff but also front-liners from other settings (eg: other private hospitals, clinic, community pharmacy). I was informed by my head of department 2 days in advance before the vaccination date. The details in MySejahtera app were only updated the day before my vaccination. I have to say, I was absolutely excited to know that I’m about to get vaccinated at that time!

Step 3: Be present at your Vaccine Administration Centre on the appointed day and time

It’s D-DAY! In spite of feeling all the butterflies in your tummy, DON’T FORGET to bring your IC, your smartphone with MySejahtera app, wear short sleeves and/or loose shirts and be at the vaccination site early. 

V: I arrived around 30 minutes earlier than my appointed time. I was pretty clueless on what to do but was glad to be guided by the KKM staff who patiently explained everything from A to Z. Once I had registered, I was placed in the main hall where you wait for your number to be called for final assessments. My vaccination centre is in Kompleks Muhibbah in Bukit OUG. Unlike how I had imagined, the waiting process was a pleasant one. Seats were arranged neatly and social distancing was observed. They put on some nice music to unnerve you and explanations on the vaccine brand you are getting as well as the expected adverse effects were also broadcasted.   

D: On D-day, the whole process was super smooth and easy ! Well done to the team for the clear instructions and arrangement. The whole process consists of 6 stations. Upon arrival, the staff verified my appointment by checking my MySejahtera app and my Identity card. (So make sure your phone is functioning and bring your IC along!) Once done, two copies of the consent form were given to me to sign. After signing it, I was directed to the waiting room for history taking.

R: Prior to the arrival to the vaccination centre, we are required to fill in 2 copies of consent form for the vaccination, of course with the overly excited-moment, not forgetting to bring along my IC and smartphone with updated MySejahtera app. We were all scheduled for a time range for vaccination to ensure sufficient candidates are available at that point of time when the vaccines are being diluted and prepared. I was able to make it earlier ahead of the scheduled time to avoid the crowded period, hence I managed to proceed with my jab on a “first come first serve” basis. Always be punctual to the scheduled time because we all know that diluted vaccines have a specific timeline of expiry.

Step 4: Get your vaccine moment

It’s finally the moment all of us are waiting for: vaccination time! Entering the vaccination room, a short briefing, insertion of needle and tada, the vaccine is in your body to gear up your immune system! 

V: It was finally my turn. I wanted to get it done quickly and at the end of my wait, I became a little agitated, then agitation became nervousness when you were in the little orange camp with a nurse beside you. Surprisingly it was finished before I could even comprehend! The next thing I knew was I had to scan a small QR code that contained the information of my vaccine. Painless and quick! (PS: first come first serve basis to go into the small tent for the vaccine jab, no number was given. Be a brave soul and rush in first!)

D: Right before entering the vaccination room, a short history-taking and briefing were conducted by the staff. I also took this opportunity to declare that I have a mild food allergy to soy. Hence they gave me a pink sticker indicating I would need to be observed for 30mins post vaccination, while the others with green stickers are observed for 15mins only. In the vaccination room, the staff nurse reconfirmed my full name and IC. They also helped me scan the vaccine QR code with MySejahtera, (so make sure you have your phone ready with you all the time). As I used to have needle phobia, I was very nervous and informed the staff nurse about it. The staff nurse was very kind and friendly where she started a casual chit-chatting with me to ease my nerves and distract my attention.

R: Submitted the consent form then presented my IC to the registration counter. All staff will be assessed by health-screening doctors on the allergy risk prior to vaccination and they will decide on the duration of post-vaccine observation (15 or 30 mins). I did have a history of severe drug-allergy, hence I was given a red sticker  indicating to be observed for 30 mins post-vaccine. Those who does not have a history of allergy were given green stickers which required only 15 mins observation post-vaccine. I was also briefed by them on the possible side effects of the vaccine, and what to do if I happen to suffer from any of the allergic reactions. During the vaccination moment, the sensation of the jab was just a slight pinch and I could barely feel anything. And there it goes, a vaccination sticker was placed on my lab coat.  The whole process was pretty speedy and efficient.

Step 5: Post-vaccination observation

Another crucial step, the duration of post-vaccination observation depends on previous allergy history. Look out for any uncomfortable symptoms and inform the staff, but rest assured most of us will feel fine.

V: I moved to the observation area and stayed for 15 minutes. There will be a few healthcare workers monitoring you and no worry, you are in safe hands. One of the workers asked me if I felt any discomfort and I shrugged it off. I was released after the said period and everything is fine. 

D: After the successful vaccination, I was placed under 30mins observation. Besides getting mild pain and soreness at the injection site, no other side effects were experienced during that time. Meanwhile I got busy taking #igotMYshot pictures and catch up with my friends.

R: After the injection, I proceeded to the 2nd registration counter by the pharmacy team to update our vaccination status in MySejahtera app. I was also briefed again to stay on for observation and to notify the medical team if I happen to suffer from any allergic reaction. Last but not least, a post-vaccination photoshoot  is definitely a must.

Step 6: Get your second dose appointment 

If all goes well, you will be leaving the vaccination site in no time. Do not forget to obtain your second dose appointment date and your vaccination card before you go on with your lives. 

V: Before you leave, remember to get your second dose appointment from the Abangs at the counter. It was 21 days later for me but this might differ between brands and change based on latest findings. 

D: After 30mins observation, I was called to the last station to get the second dose appointment. A physical vaccination card was given to me and MySejahtera app was also updated with my second dose appointment. The whole process of 6 stations, from verifying appointment till getting the second dose appointment was well planned and nicely arranged. It only took me 1.5 hours (including the 30 mins observation) to complete the whole process despite the room was full with vaccinee.

R: After the completion of observation, I proceeded to the last registration counter to update MySejahtera app. I was also given a vaccination card and was informed on the appointment for the next dose which will be 21 days later. The whole process took me less than 1.5 hours.

Step 7: Back to your daily routine 

Some of us might experience different common side effects which include fever, chills, muscle aches, pain at the injection site and reporting these side effects to NPRA are highly encouraged. Although rare, if you do experience any worsening symptoms, it’s best to get medical attention and inform healthcare professionals the date you’ve gotten the vaccine. 

V: No major problems after vaccination apart from soreness on the injection site and my body felt heated up a little bit. Rest well and drink plenty of water. Take some immune booster if you feel like it. Back to work on the second day and ready to serve the community!

D: The intensity of soreness at the injection site gradually increased for two days accompanied with mild headache and stuffy nose. However, these symptoms were resolved after a pill of cetirizine and 8 hours sleep. Then I just carry on with my daily routine like normal. A small area of bruise was found at my injection site on the second day but it resolved by itself in 2 weeks time.

R: Not much side effect from my 1st dose. Just arm soreness that lasted for about 2 days. I could still proceed with my daily routine and even exercise as usual.

Step 8: Show up at your Vaccine Administration Centre on the appointed day and time x2

That’s right, don’t miss out on your second dose of vaccine to ensure that you’re fully protected. DON’T forget to bring your physical COVID-19 vaccination card as well too!

V: I returned to my vaccination centre 21 days later and this time there were more people. PICK had entered phase 2 and I can see many senior citizens waiting for their turn to complete their dose. What touched me was the determination of an elderly woman to receive her vaccine despite having walking difficulties and having to use a wheelchair. If that auntie is so determined to save her own life and to provide herd immunity to those she loves, what are your excuses to defer from PICK?

Step 9: Repeat step 4-5

Queue, verifying identity, wait, sleeves up, vaccine in, you’re all set and fully protected. Do inform the staff if you experience any severe side effects during your first vaccine dose. Otherwise, you’ll be fine and good to go for a second dose.  

V: Waited longer this time but no regrets. It was more painful this time but I took it like a man, with no complaints. Happily scanned my vaccine QR again and I was out of the vaccination centre after 20 minutes. The staff will congratulate you upon completion and you can proudly show off your vaccination certificate to your buddies!

D: My second dose fell on 12 May which is three weeks after the first dose. The whole process was exactly the same as the first dose and it only took less than 1 hour for the whole process this time. 

R: I took my 2nd dose on the 8th April, exactly 21 days after the 1st dose. Pretty much the same step. Smooth and steady.

Step 10: Completed two doses of my COVID-19 vaccine

✔️COVID-19 Vaccine full dose. Yet, wearing face masks, sanitising hands and practicing physical distance are still applicable even after getting the vaccine. 

V: The pain was there from the beginning until the end. It took me a day and a half to get rid of the pain. Just took a few paracetamols. Also had chills and a little feverish but these were all expected. Hydration is super important for recovery!

D: During my second dose, I experienced more pain at the injection site during the injection compared to the 1st dose. However, I didn’t experience any headache or tiredness throughout the day unlike my first dose. In addition, the arm muscle soreness was also not as bad as the first dose.

R: Experienced more side effects for my 2nd dose. I felt pretty lethargic after my dose. Towards the night, I experienced muscle soreness and low grade fever. I took 2 doses of Paracetamol and the symptoms resolved. However, I did experience some giddiness post day 3 of injection.

Some final words 

V: I always tell the uncles and aunties who came to my outlet; “not to be worried and faster go register to jab!”. The benefits outweigh the risks and we have to do our part to provide herd immunity to those who need it but cannot jab. I have a customer who is very passionate and excited to jab but sadly she is immunocompromised and after consulting with her doctor she opted out. She always asks me, in a sad tone, to encourage more people who are qualified to get vaccinated. From her action, you can actually sense her regret for not being able to play her part, so can we all do a favour on behalf of people like her? Moreover, she is part of a group where we want to protect through herd immunity. Help yourself and help others. Do not worry about the adverse reactions as they are minor and not life-threatening. And you better not start with me about the deaths caused by vaccination, you have a higher chance to hit the jackpot on Saturday night than to be killed by the vaccine!

D: Completing the full dose COVID-19 vaccination is not as scary as we thought. Do not let fake news fool us, get the fact check or at least get information from reliable sources. If you did, you will definitely know the benefit outweighs the risk. Let each of us do our part in keeping our society safe from COVID-19.

R: I understand that there are multiple social media influences or even influence from the peer on pros and cons regarding the vaccination. As a healthcare professional, my advice is “to believe in Science” and knowing how to weigh the risk VS benefit of the vaccination. We are hoping to build herd immunity with this vaccination to curb the pandemic and I would say that everyone in the community plays an important role in contributing towards this goal. Protect yourself, protect others as well, let’s all fight the pandemic together!!

These words are based on our personal experiences and may differ depending on your vaccination administration centre and individual response to the vaccine. Our words should not replace any professional medical advice.  For further information, do contact a healthcare professional or your vaccination site. 

The author would like to express her much gratitude to this article’s contributors; Vincent Yeoh (community pharmacist), Dione (community pharmacist) and Renee Au (clinical pharmacist in a private hospital) for sharing their #igotMYshot experiences and beautiful pictures. 

The opinions expressed in the article are the writers’ own and do not reflect the view of MPS YPC.