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Sarawakian frontliners in Singapore get vaccinated

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Vaccination appointment card belonging to Poh.

KUCHING: Sarawakian frontliners working in Singapore have started receiving their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

Ronnie Poh, who works as a nurse manager in the geriatric and dementia wards at a healthcare institution in Singapore shared that he was among the first batch to get the vaccine.

“My first shot of the vaccine was done on Jan 27, and the second shot will take place 21 days after the first shot that is on Feb 17,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted on Facebook.

The 30-year-old from Kuching recalled that he was feeling nervous before getting the vaccine as although it has been proven to be safe to be administered, there were still many uncertainties about the vaccine.

“But it all went well. After getting the first shot, I experienced some side effects such as slight giddiness, headaches and numbness over the injected area.

“Overall, I felt happy and proud that I could be part of this historical moment. It eases my heart especially when this vaccine provides the confidence and assurance that it is 95 percent effective against Covid-19,” he said.

Poh gets his first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

He said although he had been jabbed, it was still important to continue to observe the Covid-19 precautionary safety measures such as physical distancing and avoiding crowded places especially enclosed places with air conditioning.

Poh was also able to get his hands in preparing and diluting the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

“The most challenging time of the job was when Covid-19 first hit last year, especially when we as healthcare workers are facing the virus every day which increases the chances of contracting the virus itself.

“…and the challenges are mainly the ever-changing advisories and guidelines from the Ministry of Health (MOH) which we healthcare workers need to adopt quickly,” he said.

Poh has studied and worked in Singapore for nearly 12 years, and during the pandemic it was the time he saw a number of staff experiencing emotional breakdown as they could not go back to their countries to be with their families.

“Therefore, as a healthcare leader, I would need to provide extra reassurance, encouragement and motivations for them to keep their team spirit uplifted at this critical time,” he said.

Asked on his messages to fellow Sarawakian back home, Poh said no matter what happen, he called upon Sarawakians to keep a strong spirit together in the fight against the Covid-19.

“Sarawak is still my home and my family and friends are in Sarawak. I will continue to pray and have faith in the healthcare system of my hometown. I believe strongly that Sarawakians will sail through this storm,” he said.

Poh also urged Sarawakians to obey the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by staying at home if there is no need to go out, avoid crowded places and enclosed places, ensure strict physical distancing, wear masks and wash hands frequently.

“Take this opportunity to stay close with loved ones for mutual encouragement in this difficult time. I believe and hope that we will see lights at the end of the tunnel. Stay strong and safe my fellow Sarawakians,” he said.

Tity Quintella

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Tity Quintella also from Kuching, who works as a staff nurse at Parkway Singapore Hospital for four years, has also got her first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine two weeks ago, while her last shot will be sometime next week.

“At first I was a bit afraid to take the shot because I was concerned about the vaccine safety as there were news reports about some in the United Kingdom who had died after taking the vaccine.

“I try to leave those thoughts aside and take the shot because I am working as a frontliner, and the vaccine is meant to protect me against getting infected by Covid-19,” she said when contacted on Instagram.

After being jabbed, Tity said she experienced side effects such as body ache, soreness at the injected area and having low grade fever as well, but her body system went back to normal the following day.

“I do encourage Sarawakians to take the vaccine once the Malaysian Immunisation Plan rolls out as it is for their safety and protection against the deadly virus,” she said.

The republic received its first shipment of the vaccine on Dec 21 last year, and started its vaccine exercise on Dec 30 with healthcare workers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and to be followed by high-risk groups such as the elderly, and the general public.

The Covid-19 vaccine is free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents.

While closer to home in Malaysia, the country’s Covid-19 vaccination programme is expected to roll out from March, with half a million vaccines for the frontliners first.

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