Staying safe throughout the pandemic has meant wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly, and maintaining distance. The next step, however, is getting your vaccine. As a healthy 25-year-old, I expected to be at the bottom of the pile of those offered a vaccine so I was delighted when I was invited to book my vaccine on the 8th of June. Now that over 18s in England can book their vaccines, I thought I’d share my experience!
Booking my vaccine
On the 8th of June, day, over a million people over the age of 25 booked their vaccine – which is a huge achievement. Even if you don’t book through the NHS website, there are pop-up sites to get your first vaccine. Keep an eye out! You might also get texts alerting you to pop-up vaccination centres.
5 minutes in and I was getting impatient.
When I first opened up the website, I was 5,267th in the queue when I first tried to book my slot, but less than 10 minutes later I could put in my details and book my first jab – for the following week, at the Science Museum! I decided to book a time to visit the Victoria and Albert museum before my vaccination slot.
V&A and Vaccine
Day of my vaccine
On the day of my vaccine, I visited the Victoria and Albert museum before my vaccination. I arrived at the Science Museum about 10 minutes before my appointment. I couldn’t believe how quickly I was through – I got to the museum at 5.17pm, and was checked in, stickered up, and sat down with a needle in my arm by 5.23.pm. After I got my shot, I waited in the “observation area” for 15 minutes, and then I was off.
Easy to spot where to line up for the Science Museum Vaccination Centre!
Green stickers for first dose Pfizer vaccines, orange stickers for second dose AstraZeneca vaccines.
Speedy boarding.
I received the Pfizer vaccination and will be back in September for the second dose, again at the Science Museum. The whole process was so quick and painless (the numb feeling in my arm will go away in the next day or so), and the mood in the vaccination centre was so positive and cheerful. Almost everyone there was between the age of 18 and 30, a testament to the enthusiasm of our generation to get vaccinated.
Thank YOU, NHS!
Overall
My reflections would be – sign up and get it done! The whole process was so quick and easy. You don’t have to make an afternoon of it, but why not?