So in the line for my first dose of the Oxford/Astra Zeneca vaccine. Just thought I'd document through the lens of a med student.

I know that some people are hesitant about this vaccine, so perhaps seeing the process and hearing the experience of a peer will help with their decision (since a lot of us wouldn't have had a vaccine since early childhood)

We would've gotten notification that we can come in to have the vaccine earlier today. My colleagues would've had covid training earlier last yr and I'd read up a lot on the trial outcomes for the Moderna, Pfizer and Oxford/AZ vaccines so I could inform my loved ones.

I carry an epi-pen as I have severe nut allergies and although this doesn't contraindicate me taking vaccines, I was advised by a senior to bring it with me. I've never had a reaction to any prev vaccines & there are no instances of anaphylaxis due to this vaccine in trials

I chose to get it as I have high risk persons at home and when we return to the hospital, I want to ensure I do my part to protect my patients & self. I also have friends who are immunocompromised due to meds they must take, & doing this can help protect that population.

I took 2 panadol tabs omw there (they provide paracetamol to anyone who didn't) & histal. This was recommended by a colleague who is working with the campaign. I also carried my epipen and notified them of my allergy status at each point.

Please note: the histal was because I have a severe food allergy (anaphylaxis). I don't get hives or itchy skin, my throat can close and get hypotensive if exposed to even a trace of nut products. If you don't have allergies, you wouldn't need to take histal.

I arrived at QEH and lined up outside the auditorium to be registered. They had stickers to aid with social distancing. Was happy to see the majority of my classmates there. They notified clinical students of the opportunity to get 1st dose this afternoon

They took our ID info and contact info. Then we waited to go to another registration person inside (similar info but now with NOK, age and contact info). Then we waited to be vaccinated. There were about 100 ppl there and it was done in a timely fashion

The auditorium was set up with multiple vaccine stations and 2 stations for database entry. They wiped down the chairs after each person, I watched the nurse officer draw up the vaccines. All staff in the administering/registration process were gowned& masked with face shields.

At my administration station, the nurse introduced herself and took my ID info again. We had been provided with vaccine info outside (I'll attach) and she ensured I understood and gave informed consent.

She then did what's customary for vaccines: clean desired site w. alcohol swab (for this one, it is the deltoid muscle; she asked which is my dominant hand and stuck in other upper limb), allow to dry before giving jab, discard needle while allowing me to compress site w cotton

I don't have a needle phobia, but when I saw the orange gauge needle (same size we use for newborns vitamin K stick) I had an inner celebration lol

The jab took like 2 seconds, there was the tiniest burn. If you have had other vaccines or have had sc lidocaine for any minor procedure, it is WAY LESS uncomfortable than that. My colleagues who had needle phobias (ironic huh? lol) were handled with care lol

I was then told to wait to be monitored and by the time I'd make it to the front of that seated queue, the time should have passed. We sat and shuffled down and like she said, by time I got to the front, 30 mins had elapsed. Had no side effects at this time.

Went back to a station for another nursing officer who wore her ID and introduced herself to counsel me again on possible side effects. They know we are trained to do this ourselves, but they still informed us all, which I appreciated (from a patient standpoint)

I was advised that some persons experienced fever, chills, headache and nausea. I can take 2 Paracetamol tabs every 4-6 hours as needed (and the histal q8 hrly as needed should I get itchiness, etc). If I had any severe allergic reactions, she advised me on who to contact at qeh

Of my colleagues who've gotten the vaccine a few days ago, some had no side effects but others had lethargy (tiredness), headache, joint pain and fevers for a few days. So far I just have a little muscle pain at the site (not anywhere close to after an arm day at the gym though)

The process was fairly quick given the amount of people (approx 100) that were there while I was. We were told our scheduled day for our 2nd dose and reminded again at our last (database) station.
Didn't get a lollipop or sticker, but we move

I'll update re any side effects experienced by me in the days to come. I've never had any with any other vaccine (outside of muscle soreness) so hopefully I'll be good
Have the panadol & histal on deck either way,& we aren't due to return to clinical sites until thurs anyway