My Tryst With Corona Vaccine ! –Dr. Ashwani K. Malhotra
The D- day has finally arrived. After allaying my anxieties, overcoming my fears over the rumours floating on social media about the Corona vaccine and with my heart beating faster, I make it to the Health Centre at the appointed hour with a friend who had accompanied me to the centre, lest I get any adverse reaction(s).
I show my registration and my Aadhar Card at the counter. After verification, I am shown the way to the room where, like me, a couple is awaiting their turn.
My turn comes and i await the prick of the needle. I feel and like a child, want to escape from here, but I have made my resolve. I implore the nurse in a quivering voice to be careful and not cause pain.
“Don’t worry sir, “she says in a kind, soothing and motherly tone. The needle pierces my skin and I flinch, just slightly and the next moment it is all over.
I am asked to wait for about half an hour in an adjoining room and with a few others who have also been inoculated like me.
Eureka! I have been vaccinated with the first dose of the “made-in-India” corona vaccine.
Later on, I post my picture on the social media and am flooded with messages and phone calls from my anxious children, relatives and friends. How are you, do you feel any pain, have any fever? They ask all.
As night comes my daughter implores me to take a tablet of paracetamol as a preventive measure. Since I don’t have any fever/pain, I don’t.
It’s almost a day since I received the vaccine and am fine and fit, yet.
I have overcome my fears and anxieties about the vaccine. Have you?
If not, do so when your turn comes. In the meanwhile, I shall continue to abide and follow all the norms, wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
Dr Ashwani K. Malhotra MBBS, PGDMCH, PGDMLS, is a retired Senior Medical Officer,Punjab Government,and can be reached at @M-9417188867. E-mail : ashwini.doc.1954@gmail.com
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DR. Malhohtra has been an Alumnus of SCD Govt. College, Ludhiana.
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