First Person: I’m diabetic and I took the vaccine
I’m only 45 years old. But because I’m diabetic, had a previous history of nephrotic syndrome ( kidney problem), and currently taking medication to maintain safe blood pressure, Iwas included in the firstwave of Dubai residents who received the first dose of Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine lastmonth.
The process of registering for the vaccine was smooth and straightforward. After reading all the vaccination campaign details from our
( Gulf News) report, I called the Dubai
Health Authority ( DHA) hotline to book an appointment. A voice prompt answered my call and clearly specified the first phase of the vaccination campaign covers only senior citizens and Dubai residents over 60 years old, people of determination, frontliners in the public and private sector, and those with chronic diseases ( diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, obesity and people with a BMI of 35 or more.) I’m included in the last category. Before getting an appointment, I first had to answer a set of questions, including history of any allergic reaction to food or medicine; if I have epilepsy or any neurological disease or if I’m taking any inhibitors or stimulants. Iwas also asked if I had previously taken a Covid- 19 jab or recently taken any type of vaccine.
After satisfying all the automated questions, a DHA call centre staff took my call to continue with the verification. I confirmed that I’m a Dubai resident and I gave my Emirates ID number. I also shared the brand of meds I’m taking for my blood pressure and sugar level maintenance.
The DHA staff booked my vaccine appointment and I got a message onmy phone confirming my schedule on December 29 at Nadd Al Hamar Health Center. The procedure was quick and easy. I was ushered by the staff to a room where the vaccine is being administered. A hospital staff took my details and confirmed my appointment.
Painless experience
There were two nurses in the room when I got my vaccine. One explained tome the type of vaccine I will get and the possible side effects that Imight feel after receiving it. The other nurse asked if I read and understood the consent form. She also took my vitals signs before administering the vaccine. The injection was painless – if I can say honestly – ormaybe because I was busy taking a selfie when the nurse injected the vaccine. After the inoculation, the nurse told me to wait at the clinic for 20minutes and observe if I felt anything unusual. I was ushered in the waiting room and had an online chat withmy daughter that I successfully took the jab. Twenty minutes later, I went back to the nurse. She asked me if I experienced any headache or muscle pain. I said none – only that I felt hungry as it was already lunch time. The nurse got the pun and immediately discharged me from the clinic.
In the days that followed, I continued to monitor myself. No fatigue. No headache. No fever. No shivering. No vomiting, etc. Only a minor muscle pain onmy upper left arm, where the vaccine was administered. I will complete and take the second dose of the vaccine on January 19.