Chances are, your company already informed you that you need to take the vaccine against Covid-19 but you are still skeptical, which is understandable. It is truly frightening since there have been numerous news about the vaccine that would make anyone think twice about getting it.
So, for your peace of mind, I’d tell you at the beginning of this post that I already got my first dose of Sinopharm and for the past week or so; I have yet to develop a craving for human flesh. (Just kidding, I’m perfectly fine. The only side effect I had was soreness in my left arm and I felt feverish the next day, but after a couple hours of sleep, I was again, up and running.)
For those of you who are in the UAE, the available vaccine that is being administered to the public for FREE is the Sinopharm. Pfizer is also available but it is only given to those who are above 60 years old, with chronic illnesses and front liners and you have to make an appointment first. This is also depending on the availability of this vaccine. But for Sinopharm, you could just go to any MOHAP Vaccination centers in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain (list here).
P.S. I found it cool that they made a brochure of the list of vaccination centers in Tagalog. #Together we recover #Sama sama tayong babangon.
As for me, I went with two other female colleagues to the Hor Al Anz center last 14th January 2021. We arrive at 9:00 AM and there is already a queue for the females. For the males, the queue was so long you could not see the end of the line.
While queuing, the security guard handed over consent forms for everyone to sign. He also gave us a paper clip to attach our Emirates ID card.
Females who plan to take the vaccine must ensure that they are currently NOT pregnant and not planning to get pregnant after three months of taking the 2nd dose of the vaccine. So, if you are planning to get pregnant, take the vaccine as early as possible so when you get pregnant after three months, you are vaccinated against Covid-19.
We waited for our names to get called and my prayers were answered because my form ended up on the lap of a female kabayan. (I’m terrified of needles and every time I wish for a kabayan to make me feel a bit calm and also, even if I shouted “aray!” they will understand and will not think I am cursing them or something).
The health professional took my blood pressure and asked whether I have any allergies, did I receive any vaccination in the past month and whether I tested positive for Covid recently. After making sure everything is A-OK, she asked me to take a deep breath and then jab me with the vaccine. She told me to wait for 10 minutes to make sure I did not feel any side effects and after that I could leave, but to make sure I come back after 21 days for my second dose.
To be frank, I was also hesitant to take the vaccine but now I could say that I felt like a burden has been lifted off my chest. Although, this does not mean that I will stop taking precautionary measures against the virus because Covid is still a serious threat.
If you feel like you are still hesitant to take the vaccine, visit the MoHAP’s Covid-19 Information Center by clicking here.
An Overseas Filipino Worker since 2008, Yvette is back in the Middle East after a brief stint in a first world country in South East Asia. She is a binge watcher and is part of numerous fandoms. She writes to keep her sanity (read her rantings on Wattpad @yvette_dc) and is happiest when she's in a bookstore. If given the resources, she would see the world.