Mass covid 19 vaccination started in Russia way back in December 2020. However many of us didn’t get vaccinated for various reasons and I am one of such people. I have always been indifferent about the Covid 19 vaccine despite the conspiracies surrounding it. I also had it in mind that there will be a time where it will be a requirement to do certain things or enter certain places.

Over time, it was apparent that without being vaccinated you can’t go to the hospital as a medical professional. I started my training as a Resident Doctor in Russia shortly after my graduation. However, I wasn’t able to start clinical practice until I was vaccinated.

The law says you either get vaccinated or do the Covid 19 PCR test every 3 days. The latter was going to cost both money and Time so I made the decision to get vaccinated. On the 14th of October, I headed out to Lushinki stadium one of the vaccination centers in Moscow as recommended by a family friend. We took the metro from Yugo-zapadnaya station and stopped at sportivnaya station. It was a 20-minute ride and the moment we got out of the station, we were at the center in a few minutes. I met a queue of both Russians and Foreigners. It wasn’t a long one and in another 10 minutes, I was at the vaccination point.

My Vaccination Experience

It started by filling a questionnaire. You fill in your personal details (Name, age, address e.t.c). You should go with your passport and registration paper to avoid any troubles with filling this. Following this, you will be asked a couple of questions to certify that you are fit to get vaccinated. Questions like;

1. Have you been sick of Covid 19 before?
2. Do you have any chronic diseases? (Asthma, diabetes, hypertension, oncology ailments e.t.c)
3. If you are a woman, are you pregnant? or currently breastfeeding.

and many more questions. After certifying you are fit to take the vaccine, you will be required to sign at the end of the questionnaire.

Cost of getting vaccinated

The next step was to go make payments at the cashier’s desk. Note that vaccination is free for Russians but paid for foreigners. I paid 1300 rubs with is approximately $18 and the payment is only by card.

Getting Vaccinated- Taking the shot

Before getting vaccinated, a Doctor will speak to you to orientate you about the vaccine, possible side effects, and how to treat yourself if you fall ill after. He asked what language was better to communicate and I chose Russan. He told me that the vaccination wasn’t painful however I could experience some symptoms afterward. Symptoms like pain at the injection site, fever, headache, and I should use paracetamol or any other pain killer of choice.

Now it was time to get vaccinated, I realized that I was wearing a long sleeve and it was difficult raising it up. Best believe, I absolutely forgot about that when picking a cloth to wear out. I found a way to roll up my sleeves and I sat in the chair waiting for the nurse. Following this, a shocking incident happened. Being a YouTuber, while all this was going on, I was documenting my experience to share with you all but the nurse refused me to get that on camera. In my vlogging experience, Russians don’t care so much about capturing them with your phone but this was an exception.

I got the Sputnik light brand of vaccine. It’s just one shot so I don’t have to go back for a second dose. The shot was given in about a second and it hurt a bit. I was dismissed to go pick up my vaccination certificate.

COVID 19 certificate

There has to be a prove after getting vaccinated and here is mine. I was presented this certificate upon vaccination and before that, I was told to crosscheck that my personal data was correct. Shortly after, I received an SMS stating that my QR code will be ready in 21 days.

Post Vaccination Symptoms

A few minutes post-vaccine, my arm where I got the shot started to feel so heavy. I managed to still go to work despite the pain I was feeling. The next day, I woke up in pain and feverish. Just as I was instructed, I took Paracetamol and was relieved a bit.

Shortly after, the pain got worse and I could no longer move my arm as it was very heavy and swollen at the site of injection. At this point, the doctor in me left and I became a bedridden patient for the next 24 hours. My roommate was very helpful as she helped me in getting proper medication and food although, my appetite wasn’t existing at this point. 2 days later I was back on my feet and ended the weekend with an Autumn photoshoot.

If you’ll like to see my experience in frame, check out this vlog.  I’m glad I was able to share my experience with you. I’ll like to know if you have gotten vaccinated. If yes, what brand did you get? If no can you share your reservations with me? Looking forward to your comments and having you here again.