I am scheduled to take my second Covid-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) next week.

Based on my first jab, the process of receiving the vaccine is simple and fuss-free and very easy.

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Vaccination process

Upon getting an SMS from the Ministry of Health, we would simply book an appointment at our desired vaccination centre, choosing a date and time that we want. Both weekdays and weekends are available.

On the day, simply turn up and check in using TraceTogether app or token and wait for your turn if there is a queue. There was no queue for my first appointment.

The staff would simply clarify your personal particulars and whether you have any allergies, etc, that may render you not eligible to take the vaccine. As I didn’t have any, I was asked to make my way to one of the curtained vaccine booth setups, where I was poked.

Just received my first Covid-19 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine.

Post-vaccine Observation 

After being jabbed, you have to sit around for half an hour in order to be observed, in case there are any serious side-effects such as anaphylactic shock. This is rare, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Half an hour later, my name is called and you are officially discharged, receiving a bunch of freebies which depend on the vaccine centre that you had chosen.

Vaccination Symptoms 

Symptoms such as sore arm, fever, fatigue, rashes, dizziness or swelling may appear in the day or two after you have received the jab. 

Personally, apart from a sore arm for the next one and a half days, together with some mild fatigue, I was feeling pretty okay after my first jab. 

I have heard that the symptoms following the second jab are a little more severe, but I guess I will find out for myself soon.

Nonetheless, as a Singaporean, I am happy to do my part, in helping to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vaccination protects more than just the people

The Covid-19 vaccine, according to Dr. Shariff Rizwan, the resident doctor of DTAP (Dr. Tan & Partners) Clinic, serves more than just to protect the people against Covid-19.

The doctor obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He subsequently obtained the post-graduate Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, United Kingdom (MRCP UK).

Dr. Shariff Ridzwan.

By being vaccinated, he reiterates that besides protecting ourselves, it also helps to protect businesses and jobs through the progressive re-opening of the global economy.

Said Dr. Shariff, “There is a risk of serious, life-threatening disease and death from Covid-19 infection, especially in the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Getting vaccinated against Covid-19 is one way to prevent the disease, and minimise the risk of transmission and prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed.”

He added, “It is important for us to achieve as high a level of population coverage as possible, to provide protection for the majority of our population. A population with high vaccination coverage against Covid-19 will indirectly protect those who are unable to receive Covid-19 vaccination e.g. severely immunocompromised individuals, subgroups such as children where safety data is not available, as the risk of transmission of the disease will be greatly reduced.”

Vaccine is Safe and effective

Dr. Shariff stressed that the vaccine is both safe and effective.

The two vaccines in circulation in Singapore, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, meet safety and efficacy standards and have been authorised for use under the Pandemic Special Access Route, which facilities early access to vaccines and medicines during a pandemic such as Covid-19. This is also supported by the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination.

The doctor also added that based on the phase 3 trial data from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the two vaccines are 95% effective in preventing symptomatic Covid-19 and continue to be effective for at least two months while showing no signs of waning protection.

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He continued, “While many people have cited that the vaccines do not provide 100% coverage against infection, some early studies and anecdotal evidence have shown that for patients who have been vaccinated but subsequently went on to be infected with Covid-19 developed milder symptoms compared to their unvaccinated counterparts.”

Vaccine came out quickly but was not rushed

While one of the biggest misconceptions regarding the vaccine is that it was rushed and poorly studied, leading to a lot of possible side effects and adverse reactions, Dr. Shariff stressed that it is not true.

“There are very good reasons for this accelerated timeline,” he said. These reasons are as follows.

1. Significant investment and dedication of resources from vaccine manufacturers to the ramping up of vaccine production; moreover, the mRNA technology platform had already been in development for many years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Strong global partnerships between many different partners including international organisations, governments, researchers and manufacturers.
3. Given the pandemic situation, recruitment for and conduct of the randomised controlled trials to identify the differences in disease risk between those given vaccines and placebo, are able to be conducted more quickly than in the absence of a pandemic.
4. Many trials have performed their trial phases concurrently, allowing for sufficient data to be produced in a shorter time. Safety, scientific or ethical integrity have not been compromised, and no short-cuts have been made, but the unique circumstances and factors described above have allowed accelerated development.

He concluded, “As important as it is to be transparent and clear with adverse effects, it is also important to not propagate misinformation and falsehoods by spreading news or rumours that have not been thoroughly fact-checked. Doing so will only unnecessarily incite fear and concerns, thereby hurting the community at large.”

Don’t wait. Get vaccinated

And to try and convince those who may still be hesitant to take the vaccine, Dr. Shariff reiterates that persisting with education on the vaccine from trusted experts, leveraging influencers and engaging religious leaders, as well as being specific with comparisons and outcomes, may help to sway this group to go for the vaccine.

Said Dr. Shariff, “Getting vaccinated is a duty to your own personal health, your loved ones and the greater community at large.”

So, please don’t wait any more. Get vaccinated, as soon as you are eligible to do so.