I feel relieved after vaccination

I am fine. I do not think there is any reason to worry about the side effects of the Covid vaccine. Very few people show severe side effects.

I knew I did not have an allergic reaction. I have already read a lot about the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which can prompt some side effects for people with allergies.

A friend of mine took the shot in the UK on Wednesday. He told me today that he was fine. My other friends who took the shots are also doing well.

Getting vaccinated is a psychological relief since I am quite vulnerable to the virus infection. I have co-morbidities and have had bypass surgery twice.

On Thursday, it was the second time in nine months that I got out of my car when I went out of home. However, I will go out freely following the virus safety measures when I complete the two doses.

Some educated people told me to wait at least a week, or not to take the India-manufactured shots. I think they have a severe lack of understanding.

It should be remembered that India is the largest vaccine manufacturer globally.

Western countries produce many of their vaccines in India because they can be produced at a cheaper rate there. The vaccine Serum Institute is making is patented. It cannot change the quality of the shots. Because if they do so, their reputation will be in trouble. So, there is nothing to doubt about it.

A couple of days ago, I posted a status on Facebook expressing my desire to get the vaccine. Then the health secretary contacted me and asked me to take the vaccine on the first day.

Last night, a journalist advised me to come to the BSMMU Convention Centre. I was told that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University's Vice-Chancellor and health directorate official Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora would be there. My Daughter knows Prof Flora and she was beside me all the time when I got the shot. I gave my NID number to the journalist last night to get registered for the vaccination.

I went to the BSMMU Convention Centre in the morning on my own. After vaccination, I had to stay for 30 minutes in the lounge. The BSMMU Pro-VC met us there and asked if we were doing well. There were beds, but I was sitting since I felt perfectly okay.

There are two forms with numbers to call if someone develops any side effects. After vaccination, they gave me a card that I will have to show for the second shot. However, they did not specify the date for the second dose. Maybe two months later.

It is still unclear how long the vaccine will give protection. But there are frequent updates on the Internet from credible websites. Educated people should at least browse the information.

Many of them will tell you not to take the India-produced vaccine without any background check.

The government may have many things wrong, but it is not logical to doubt it in every case.

The government's vaccination steps are quite efficient, and everything is very systematic so far – which is genuinely appreciable. The record-keeping is quite good too.

I am surprised that Bangladesh has managed so many shots so fast. Because many countries are yet to get those.

In the meantime, some people are questioning signing the consent papers before vaccination. The consent paper means having an agreement. If you want to get vaccinated in foreign countries, you will have to sign the form too. Our conditions are in the same format as those in other countries.

Rather than getting panicked, I think people should get vaccinated when they get the chance.

Eminent economist Wahiduddin Mahmud shared his immunisation experience with The Business Standard's Tawsia Tajmim over the phone at 3pm Thursday.