Ever since we got to register for the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccinations, many have been posting up photos of them on social media featuring the hashtag #CucukMYAZ. It’s great that most Malaysians are now educated on this particular vaccine and is taking the chance to go ahead with it.
Anyways, since the second rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine, we’d like to keep our readers prepared so here’s a guide on what to expect during your appointment and the aftercare.
On the day of your vaccination appointment
Do make sure that you’re well prepared with all the necessities which include your IC and your mobile phone with your registered MySejahtera app. Don’t forget to double-mask since you’ll be surrounded by a crowd as well as bring your own pen along to sign the consent form that would be given to you upon your arrival.
For those that are travelling interdistrict or interstate to get to your assigned PPV, when passing a police roadblock, you’d just have to show your appointment details via the MySejahtera app and you’ll be good to go.
Apart from that, try to avoid wearing long-sleeve tees, sweaters, or any piece of clothing that is hard-to-roll. Since you will be taking a jab on your upper arm, it’s best to come with sleeveless or short-sleeved tees for easy convenience.
So this wouldn’t be like regular blood tests where you’d be required to fast, however, ensure that you have eaten a well-balanced meal before appointment to prevent feeling weak after.
You’ll need to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your vaccination appointment, so arrange your transportation to the specified PPV ahead of time, taking into account: the traffic, the time you’ll need to park your car or the wait time for your Grab ride. Avoid arriving too early to avoid crowds.
Once you’re at the PPV
When you have reached the vaccination centre, do scan your temperature as well as checking-in your location through the MySejahtera app. Some might get overwhelmed with the crowd however, don’t worry ’cause there will be plenty of signage and on-ground staff to guide you throughout the whole process.
So first things first, proceed to the registration counter, where you will need to provide your IC to the person in charge in order to register, and then scan the QR code on your MySejahtera app to confirm your attendance.
The waiting room is where you will sign your consent form.
Now that you are ready for the first dose of the vaccine, you can proceed to your counter and the nurse will verify your details before giving you the jab. Then you will scan the QR code given via the MySejahtera app to confirm your first dose of vaccine.
When that’s over, you will be directed to an observation room where you will have to wait for around 15 minutes to check if there are any side effects within that time. Then if everything goes well, the on-ground staff will give you further instructions on how to self-monitor yourself and to keep an eye on your MySejahtera app for your next appointment.
You’ve gotten your first dose of vaccination…so what happens next?
If you are working and need to be in the office, it’s best to take the day off in order to rest in case you experience any of the side effects. The most prevalent ones include body soreness and injection site discomfort. Apart from that, many have also experienced fevers, fatigue, lack of appetite, headaches, cold sweats, or chills ranging from later in the day to a day or two later. Since the side effects may vary, some people may not feel anything at all.
But do keep in mind that even with the side effects, it just means that your body’s immune system is actually responding to the vaccine. So in a way, it’s a good sign.
You can take Panadol Actifast, Soluble, and Extra to help relieve the pain however these over-the-counter medications are not advised for patients with high blood pressure since it contains added sodium and caffeine which may elevate blood pressure.
Well, there you have it! A quick step by step guide to help you get prepared.