Vaccine trial volunteers recount experience
RESIDENTS REVEAL DETAILS OF HOW THEY WERE MEDICALLY EVALUATED AND RECEIVED THEIR DOSES AT ADNEC FACILITY
Thousands of people have stepped up to volunteer for the phase III trials of an inactivated vaccine since its launch in Abu Dhabi on July 16. Gulf News spoke to three volunteers as they undergo the 42-day trial process.
Hussa Mohammad Salem Al Mansouri, a 49-year-old Emirati IT professional, got vaccinated at the Adnec centre in Abu Dhabi on August 1.
Having been tested recently, she was given a green wrist band after which a nurse took her blood pressure, temperature, blood sample and a nasal swab. She was also given a urine test to determine if she was pregnant. A doctor also did a medical assessment after which she was directed to the vaccine administration room.
“A nurse gave me a shot on my upper arm. It wasn’t uncomfortable; it just felt like a regular injection,” Hussa said. She was then given a thermometer, a box of N95 masks, and a vaccine diary. “The nurse explained how I should fill in any symptoms, and also how to contact Seha if I didn’t feel well,” Hussa said.
Shopping vouchers
She also gave her Dh300 worth of shopping vouchers.
After 30 minutes in an observation room where a nurse monitored her vitals every 10 minutes, Hussa was allowed to go home. The next day, she got a call asking about her health in detail. She said she felt fine and was told to expect the next call on August 5. “I am still feeling very much like myself. For now, I feel proud to be part of this historic process,” she said.
A doctor’s experience
Dr Mohammad Elnaggar, 46, Egyptian, specialist urologist at Burjeel Royal Hospital in Al Ain, who received his vaccine shot at the Adnec centre on August 3, was also given a green band and went through the same medical checks as Hussa did.
“The shot was given in the deltoid muscle in the upper arm, and I was then told how to record any symptoms that I noticed from then on. I was also given a thermometer as a gift,” he said.
The next day a health professional called asking if I was feeling feverish or fatigued, or if I had developed a cough. Dr Elnaggar said he was fine and was told that his next teleconsultation was on August 9 and the second vaccine shot on August 24.
“My family in Egypt, including my five daughters, were a bit concerned when I first told them I was signing up for these trials. But now they are proud,” he said.
‘Process is smooth’
Dr Sayyed Munir Pasha, 45, Indian, specialist radiologist at LLH Hospital, Abu Dhabi, also got his vaccine shot at the Adnec facility on August 1. He was also given a green band and a routine checkup
“I received the shot on my upper arm after which I was put under observation for about 30 minutes and told how to fill out the vaccine diary. I was also given some snacks,” he said.
The next day Dr Pasha had a little bit of swelling and tenderness around the injection site, but no other symptoms. The selling went away on its own.
He has to submit his vaccine diary after eight days.
“The process is smooth. My family was initially worried when I told them I would be volunteering. But seeing that I am doing fine, they are comfortable with the idea,” he said.