Updated April 21, 2021
I have received my first jab of Covid-19 vaccine in China (April 2021). In this post, I am going share my experiences of how it feels like receiving the vaccine in china.
Why Didn’t I Receive the Covid-19 Vaccine Earlier?
Well, most of my colleagues had received both the jabs in March 2021. Some had both jabs in Feb, including the first jab as early as before the spring festival (Feb 2021).
Somehow, I missed the information about registering for the vaccine.
Then, at times, there were shortage of vaccines.
Also, I travelled for a while in the northern part of China’s Jiangsu province (I plan to write a few blog posts).
The New Notification
My employer informed me about receiving the vaccine via WeChat text message (in Chinese). I was suggested to bring along my passport. The foreigners in my enterprises were not required to make prior appointments. Just show up and get the vaccine shots.
Timing of vaccination
8am to 9pm.
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The Day I Was Vaccinated
I reached the vaccination venue by 7.45am. Outside the vaccination building (a huge sports building, 体育楼), there were about 50 people ahead of me in the waiting quote.
Within 5 minutes, there we nearly 200 people behind me in the same queue.
The door of the building opened at sharp 8am. I was inside the building within 5 minutes. My health QR code was checked. An automated body temperature scanner scanned my body temperature.
Then, I entered a big hall. There were nearly 20 small kiosks. I handed them my passport. I was asked a few questions, such as employment number, how long in china, have any cough or cold? Blah blah.
Then I was given a one-page registration document to proceed with vaccination.
The vaccination happened in the other room.
In the vaccination room, there were nearly 50 small kiosks. One doctor/nurse at each kiosk.
The lady doctor/nurse checked my registration receipt. She showed me the “vaccine” that was about to be given to me. It was manufactured by Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (北京生物/北京科兴生物制品有限公司). She also showed me the expiry date of the vaccine.
Once I consented, I was asked to sign (electronic signature). Then, I had to remove the clothes from my left shoulder (it’s still cold here in Shanghai and I had 3 layers of clothes).
Soon, the vaccine was inoculated in my left shoulder. I didn’t feel a thing. No pain at all.
Subsequently, I was asked to proceed to an observation room. It was a big hall full of chairs.
There were a few hundred people sitting in the observation room. All had received the Covid-19 vaccine jabs.
I was not sure about the exact duration to be under the observation. I didn’t know when to leave from the observation room.
Once I tried to leave, however, I was asked to wait for 8 more minutes. It turned out that we had to sit compulsorily for 30 minutes in the observation room.
After the 30 minutes were over, I proceeded to the exit gate. I had to fill a form with basic information, such as passport number, phone number, employment ID, etc.
Then I left.
How About the Next Jab?
The receipt (a certificate) of the 1st jab of vaccine clearly shows the date of the second round of the vaccination. For me, it’s going to be in the 1st week of June. It seems that’s the vaccines inoculated about one month apart are more effective in preventing Covid-19 related issues. Further, occasionally, there may be a bit of a shortage of the vaccines.
Cost of Covid-19 vaccine?
I didn’t pay anything for the vaccination. It was free for me (not sure, if my employer would pay for it).
Overall, the whole vaccination process was very well organized, fast, and efficient.
The real China experience!
Love this country. Love how life has been awesome here.
Love how well I have been taken care of.
Thank You, China!
