My first tryst with the dose

‘The more you stay at home, the more homeless you become.’

That was my state when I got the letter for confirmation for my vaccination from TCS Vaccination Drive. It was more the rush to get back into the office mode asap as I had to step back to office tomorrow (May 24)….Psst: This is quite a late blog.

Yes! It was a lot of thoughts running and colliding into each other rather bouncing into each other. Each had its own significance.

How will the vaccination go? Am I ready? Have I had enough water today (You need to be properly hydrated even a day before the dose)? Will I get COVISHIELD or COVAXIN? Do I need to check with the doctor? Have I stocked enough medicines for the aftereffects of the dose? Should I order Dolo 650 from the chemist now?

The biggest fight was COVISHIELD or COVAXIN? Which one would be administered? Which one is better? Calming myself I said, “Being vaccinated is your destination. Reaching your destination is important than the mode of transport.” For example, if you have to reach Gangtok for a trip, what would be important—reaching the place or the mode of transport (by air, road or rail). Reaching the destination would be important. Right? In the same manner being vaccinated is important than which vaccine you take COVISHIELD or COVAXIN (until and unless your doctor has advised you for a particular one based on your medical conditions). Both are safe and help you reach your targeted destination.

I was almost running against the clock as I saw my scheduled appointment at 9 PM. A quick decision and a confirmation followed.

The plethora of rattling’s continued in the backend as if I lay asleep to the divine musings of rattling’s. God! So much for one dose.

The D-Day arrives and I’m a bigger over bursting bubble of questions galore. Today when I see others in the same state I drive down memory lane. No inch of a difference. The questions, the anxiety continued till I stepped into the gate of Banyan Park. At the gate the relevant security checks done and off you inch one step closer towards pushing my anxiety of a dose off the cliff. Oh wow! The scenery of jackfruit laden trees, tamarind shining its most ripe cover in the sunlight, and flowers in the brightest attire. All at your welcome out to ease your dose anxiety.

Walk-in and tit you fill a form for medical authorities and tat you land at the pre-registration counter and off the vaccination zone. Blink an eyelid and its your turn. If CoWIN reflects your name on time nothing like it.

In my case, CoWIN acted like a grumpy kid refusing to budge (read reflect my name), while the nurse stood all ready to shove the dose down my arm. 20 mins down the line it acted itself and cooperated. A pinch on the arm and then there was a wiff of cold icy feeling down the hand. Done!

The nurse was so into her work that she even forgot to mention it was COVISHIELD. The enquiry person that I am I asked her which vaccine is it? What should I do for side effects? “Take Dolo 650 for pain or fever.” But missed the bigger point-drink lots of water.

The wait for half an hour felt the longest time to pass. Never waiting for a train (read always delayed) seemed so boring and unending. Finally done and scampering off my feet I rushed back home.

Yes! I missed taking a selfie even though it was permitted. “Who will recognize me I thought?” I was more appropriately dressed than even the health workers in double masks, face shield, gloves et al. After all adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour is of prime importance.

That’s in short the story of how I got my first dose devoid CoWIN bookings, telling long waits and lines a goodbye, thanks to #TCS #TCSVaccinationDrive #TCSVaccinationLeague. Also, a big thanks to all the Security, Admin, HR and various other teams that made it a seamless experience at the oasis in the heart of the concrete desert.