My 1st Pfizer-BioNTech Shot and Side Effects – Covid-19 Vaccination Singapore

Have you taken your Covid-19 vaccination? 💉🇸🇬

I took my first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine almost a month ago, on 22nd June, Tuesday.

After much rescheduling, because the second shot was supposed to be taken 6 to 8 weeks later but later on, as the government managed to have more doses imported in, we are encouraged to change our appointments to earlier dates, so I changed mine to an earlier date.

Thus, my second Covid-19 shot is tomorrow night.

When I went for my first vaccination appointment, I wanted to do a walkthrough with photos but after taking the first photo, I was told by the staff there that no photo taking was allowed.

Actually I didn’t believe so since there were so many photos and videos circulating online. 😅 I didn’t want to waste time so I made do without it.

As such, I can only do a written walkthrough without any images. 🤪

My appointment was on Tuesday at 8pm at a Community Centre (CC) and there were quite a number of people even at such a “late” timing, but the process was organised and fast. Even though at some point of time, I had no idea where I was supposed to sit at.

When I entered the vaccination centre, I had to show my appointment sms or my online booking confirmation to the staff at the entrance. After which, I was led to take a seat in the waiting area before entering the premises. I was then asked a few simple questions.

Upon entering the premises, I was brought to another area where the staff asked me some questions, and I passed them my IC for them to do some verification.

After I have confirmed my details, I was given a Vaccination Information Sheet and a sticker with my name and details on them. I think that’s all as other than the information sheet, the sticker was passed to the doctor/ nurse.

Then, I was brought to a individual tentage for my vaccination. My identity was verified again and then I was asked a number of questions. However, when I made some enquiries of my own, she was not really able to answer me. All I was asked to do was to read the booklet, referring to the Vaccination Information Sheet.

I guess she was really purely doing her job, to make the jab. 💉

Later on I read from the news that one was not supposed to do strenuous exercises for a week after the jab, which I also wasn’t advised.

The jab was fast but yes, painful.

Even though I am a regular blood donor so I do have experiences with jabs but this was more painful compared to my usual. However, it was not very painful as in unbearable but the pain did linger on. No idea if it is because of the area where the shot was at ━ the arm. The spot was actually way higher than my BCG shot, almost reaching my shoulder.

Side Effects:

Actually, I forgot about the pain soon enough because right after my jab, my side effects started. I literally felt as if the heat on the injection site on my left arm, sent shivers down to my hand and my left hand turned cold. 🥶

Left the tentage and as I went to the waiting area, this was where I stood waiting because I had no idea where to sit. As there were so many seats with so many people, I stood there wondering if there was a system to the seating, but I was shown soon to a seat. However, it could have been faster and more organised as there were many people working there, but most were just standing around. I think it might be messy if it was more crowded.

Since I already read and knew beforehand that I had to wait for 30 minutes before leaving, I was already expecting this but they really could have informed the people while bringing them to the seats.

After I sat down, this was when I actually realised those side effects. Other than the pain at the injection site of my left arm, my left hand was still cold. Breaking out in cold sweat, I also felt giddy and nausea. At first, I thought that it was due to me getting up from the seat too fast after the injection. I had no idea if this was normal so I decided to wait it out.

After around 15mins, I heard one of the staff inform the girl sitting down near me to let her know if she felt giddy or nausea and since the chills, giddy and nausea feeling was still around, I got her attention. She was really nice and asked if I ate, what the feeling was like etc. She explained that as I just had dinner before coming, it could be because of that and so she told me to drink some water and take sweets if I have.

Luckily I brought water along and I do also have sweets in my bag so I drank and ate the sweets. The giddiness was gone, and so was the cold sweat by the time 30 minutes was up. Only slight nausea was still lingering but I was feeling so much better.

When the waiting time was up, my name was called and I went to a desk where they again confirmed my name and the staff I spoke to earlier on was also there, asking how I felt and then I was free to go.

I was given a vaccination card (rather a piece a paper that can be folded 😂) with details of my 1st Pfizer-BioNTech shot, which as stated in the card, I will have to bring for my next appointment, i.e the second shot. There was also after vaccination advice provided, as shown below.

Before leaving the centre, I was also given a pack of surgical masks.

Overall, everything was quick, simple and organised.

A few hours later after I reached home, the cold sweats and chills came again. Slight nausea also became worse and I felt tired. So tired that I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Then at the same time, I was hungry. Like really hungry. Not sure if the hunger was because of the vaccination actually. 😂

My injection site was still painful and my left arm was sore and weak. I could feel the weakness in my left arm as I couldn’t really raise it past my shoulder. 🙅🏻‍♀️

The tiredness became worse the next day, Wednesday where all I wanted to do was sleep. My games couldn’t keep me awake. 😅 The soreness in my left arm was better but it still feels weak. I guess it was only less than half a day since I took my jab at night. No more nausea and chills. Just felt uncomfortable and tired.

On Thursday, I was still tired but it was not as bad as the day before. Injection site still painful but my left arm was no longer feeling weak, though still sore. 💪🏻

Only on Friday did the tiredness get better.

Conclusion:

• There were side effects but it was nothing serious. I guess the benefits outweigh the side effects in this case.
• Remember to drink water after the vaccination once you are seated. Bring sweets too if you are worried.
• If you don’t feel well after taking the jab, inform the staff there even if you were not told so.
• Read the vaccination information sheet, as there are quite some details in there, including explanation of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, possible side effects, what to do if you have side effects and even where to report the side effects. I believe it to be the same if you took the Moderna vaccine.
• Don’t do any strenuous exercises for a week. (This was what I saw on the news, better safe than sorry.)

If you experience any side effects and wish to report it, you can do so by scanning the QR code in the Vaccination Information Sheet which actually leads to this website: Covid-19 Side Effects Self-Reporting Form

It’s a fast and simple form to fill up, which helps HSA better monitor the safety of the vaccine.

You can report if you have no side effects.

If you have manageable side effects.

But if you have severe or worsening side effects, you should see a doctor, call 995 or go to your nearest A&E.

This side effects self-reporting can be made no matter which vaccine you took, be it Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sinovac or others.

I was just really glad I did not have rashes and I hope that it will stay this way after the second jab. 🙏🏻 Keeping fingers crossed that the side effects after the second jab on Wednesday would not be too bad. 🤞🏻

Will update again after that.

Meanwhile, keep safe! 😷

Back to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) again… till 18 August… 😮‍💨

Take care everyone! ☹️ When will this be over? 😷