THE night before I was scheduled for a Covid-19 vaccination, I was full of fears and anxieties. I was thinking of the side effects. I kept thinking “what if I cannot breathe after receiving it, what if I did not know that I have the disease and then I have myself vaccinated?” All of these bothered me so much that I almost canceled my vaccination schedule.
During the day of the vaccination, I was still anxious. But I thought of the very need of it since I am at high risk of acquiring other diseases due to my co-occurring illnesses like diabetes mellitus and hypertension. But most of all, I think of visiting my patients in the rehab and of holding face to face classes soon. Eventually, I was able to convince myself to do it knowing that to provide health to others is to also protect my health.
I arrived at the vaccination center as early as 9:30 AM last Thursday, but I see that there were many who were earlier than I was. When I went to the reception area, the assigned health care workers checked our identification cards to prove that we are healthcare professionals. They were very friendly, and we were told where to sit and to wait for our turns for vital checking.
We were registered and our professional IDs were verified. Another warm barangay healthcare worker assisted me to go to the counseling room before the actual vaccination. There, a nurse helped me be more calm as I am about to go to the last phase. Later, I was assisted to the next room, where a physician interviewed me about my past and present health history. I also had some questions, and I was only glad to be provided the information I needed. When I was cleared, I finally got the shot. Honestly, when I saw the needle, I did not like the feeling. But with the comforting and warm hands of the midwife, I did not feel any pain.
The step-by-step process implemented was well planned and organized. I feel that others there were anxious too, like me. But truly the team of healthcare workers and volunteers -- from the reception and waiting area, vital signs, information verification, counseling room, final assessment room -- and the vaccination area were all very caring. Their welcoming smiles and accommodating attitude removed all my anxieties.
If I have to rate my anxiety when I arrived at the reception area up to the point when I was vaccinated, it honestly dropped to as low as 1. And this is all because of the caring attitude of the team.
Thank you very much to the Resbakuna-Kasangga ng Bida medical team at Mintal Elementary School last April 22, 2021.
If only I can mention all the names of the healthcare workers and volunteers there but I couldn’t. I feel that they should all be acknowledged for serving us well. I know it is not easy to do their tasks, but their willingness to work even when there is a pandemic is truly remarkable. I highly salute all of them.