Thread by @sandhyaravishan

Quick #thread on #CovidVaccine in #Chennai based on experience of taking a number of elderly folks to get vaccinated. If you are planning to take your parents for the jab, don't stress. Here's what to expect. (1/n)

1. Most hospitals are taking walk-ins and registering them online. If cowin.gov.in is giving you a headache, don't worry. You don't need to register online. Just go to a hospital nearby. Some are giving tokens, others are handling on first-come-first-served basis.(2/n)

2. Be prepared to wait at the hospital. Take your parents' original Aadhar card. Hospital staff will do registration (it takes time as the system is probably overburdened). Payment of Rs 250 has to be made for vaccine (free in govt hospitals). (3/n)

3. Next your parents will have to speak with a doctor in the hospital who will note down details of any comorbidities they may have & allergies, if any.

4. After this, the vaccination is done. (4/n)

5. Post vaccination your parents will be asked to sit for half hour in the hospital. This is to monitor whether they have any strong adverse reaction to the vaccine. After the wait, you're done. (5/n)

6. Please remember the vaccination process is complete ONLY if the second dose is taken. One dose is not enough. The nurse will inform you as to when the second dose has to be taken. (6/n)

7. Different people have different reactions to the vaccine. Fever, headache, body ache and a feeling of tiredness are quite common. Don't worry - it means the vaccine is working. Symptoms last for a day. If injection site hurts, apply ice pack. (7/n)

Healthcare professionals have been working non-stop for more than a year now to handle #COVID19 and now they are leading an extraordinary effort to safeguard the population. Please be nice to them. And please be patient. It's not easy to be them. (n/n)

PS: My mom got vaccinated at Billroth Anna Nagar and my in-laws, aunts & uncles at Apollo Vanagaram. At both places the staff, doctors & nurses were wonderful. Totally recommend.