First Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine!

At 5.15pm, I had my first Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine at The Inspire Centre at the QEH. It was all very professionally done indeed, with lots of staff to assist at each stage before having the vaccine. Security staff to see you into the building. Registered with a lady at a reception desk, who asked me some basic information. Then had to sit at a table to fill in an A4 page with the usual details, plus NHS number etc. Then two staff ushered you into the main room, where I was greeted with another person at a desk! The gentleman asked which arm I would like the jab, I initially joked and said 'neither'...... he also took my form I had filled in and then I was escorted to a Matron and another member of staff who asked me more questions, including me asking if my remaining symptoms of Covid would affect me having the vaccine – it didn't. Had the jab, which I hardly felt, a blood test is worse just to give you an idea of the lack of pain. I didn't look, as I don't do needles, as long as I don't look, everything's fine.

Then I was escorted to sit on a seat and was greeted by a lovely male nurse, who instantly came across and introduced himself and pointed to the clock and said that if I still felt OK after 15 minutes, I could leave at 5.40pm – he gave me and everyone that sat down a Dettox Hand Sanitiser, which was very nice I thought. Things have moved on – when I was at primary school (Holme) and had the Small Pox Vaccine, we were given a single sugar lump as a treat!!! I had had a typically busy day at work, was cream-crackered and still exhausted with fatigue from Covid, so used that 15 minutes to snooze. The nurse came across when I was having my nap as he was concerned about me, I smiled and explained that I was simply tired and that I would soon speak up if I didn't feel well! How kind of him. There were staff nurses on duty too in case anyone wasn't feeling well. It was all quite weird really, sitting with others on chairs, 2 metres apart – all waiting for our 15 minutes to pass – you just couldn't imagine being in this situation, just over a year ago! 17 minutes later I got up and left, walked back to my car and went home. Phew, thank goodness that's done with. 2nd jab in 12 weeks time. No side effects by 10.20pm at all, aside from the fact I feel extra tired. Good night!