Thread by @AabhashK

Got my first vaccine dose today 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Here's my detailed experience and tips on "How to get a vaccine" (Bengaluru edition) 🧵
There's a process to getting a slot and it does involve some luck. Hope this thread helps 👇👇

Step 1: Log into the CoWIN portal and hit schedule. You should be ready to go here. (so keep refreshing your login every 5 mins)
Step 2: Go to findslot.in. Select Karnataka and district as BBMP. This shows real-time availability of slots. Keep checking every 30 secs.

Step 3: Apollo Bannerghatta and Seshadripuram have been opening their slots between 1:30-3 PM for the past two days. This is your best chance as they open 400 slots for each day. So for these two hours you need to be on your 'fastest fingers first' best.

Keep checking on findslot.in. As soon as you see the slots open, immediately head over to the CoWIN portal and search with Pin for the slot that shows up on findslot (for ex, for Apollo 1 Bannerghatta) it's 560076)

Step 4: Hit on select and choose the 9AM slot. Hope that you did it within the 2-5 min window it's open. Slots disappear almost as fast as Xiaomi phones on Flipkart.

Keep reading for my actual vaccination experience.

Some other pointers:
Don't rely on apps that send you email/SMS notifs. You literally have 2 mins so best to be ready on Findslot/CoWIN
Don't bother scheduling slots for Shanthinagar UPHC, Bagalur etc. No gov centre is giving vaccines to <45 currently, until at least May 15.

Similarly, slots for Covaxin open for Manipal Hospitals in Bangalore throughout the day. I have no idea about the window that they open in, unlike Apollo 1.

I am sure other cities will have similar stuff. Or just till May 15. Now for my vaccination exp from earlier today 👇

Slots mean nothing. Apollo 1 (Apollo Bannerghatta) has a token system, so reach early morning around 8 AM and get your token. There are 400 vaccines per day (as of now). Now you need to wait, the first calls for vaccination start anywhere between 9-9:30 AM.

The center here is close to the parking lot and in the basement away from the main wing. You can wait in your own car in the parking lot, or there are several seats under the tree shade nearby.

Once the vaccination starts they'll start shouting numbers in batches of 10. Once your number is called, you go to a tented area with seats (with social distancing) and use the time to fill up a consent form. (Carry a pen with you)

**After this they'll start calling you inside the vaccination rooms one-by-one number-wise. Once you enter, your info will be verified (Aadhaar/Phone no). DO carry original IDs.
Once verification is done, you can go to the billing counter - make payment (850 for Covishield).

After this you can go to the vaccination room, where they'll again confirm your name, age etc. on the CoWIN portal, take your temp/oximeter reading and give you the shot and confirm your vaccination.
Head over to Room 3 to collect your vaccination certificate. You're done!

Takes around 90 seconds on average per person. So if you're token #200, for example, you'll get vaccinated ~4 hours after the first person on the day.

No crowding/adequate social distancing till the point you go inside for the vaccination** where you'll have ~20-25 people in a relatively smaller space. So do ensure you're double-masked, and if possible, get a face shield and gloves as well.

All in all, it was a smooth experience. The toughest part is getting a slot on the CoWIN portal itself.

I hope you get vaccinated soon. Till then stay safe, double-mask up and avoid going out 🙏🏻

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https://twitter.com/AabhashK/status/1389104942695157762?s=20