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Saturday, January 2, 2021

GETTING THE COVID19 VACCINE IN SAUDI ARABIA

This morning I received the first of two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.  This post is to relay my experiences about getting the vaccine in Jeddah.

From the time I registered thru the online app for my free vaccine (at http://onelink.to/yjc3nj), it took about 10 days before I received a text message from "Sehhaty."  I was then able to go to the app to schedule my appointment.  I immediately received a text message confirming my appointments, for both the first dose and the 2nd dose scheduled for 3 weeks later.  Included in the text message is a Google Maps link with the location.  The location is the South Terminal at the Jeddah airport which is no longer being used for flights since the new terminal opened about two years ago.  

You cannot just show up there without an appointment!  We arrived about 10 minutes before my appointment time at 8:30 am, however there were still many vehicles in line for appointments at 8 am, so we were asked to circle around the loop and return, which we did.  The MOH (Ministry of Health) signage was excellent and easy to understand.  Plenty of staff was on hand to assist people.  I was actually quite impressed with how organized and well run the operation is.  

Helpful staff were placed all along the way, guiding us and answering questions.  Be sure to have your ID and the confirmation text showing your appointment handy.  Also, don't forget your face mask!  They are mandatory.    

Once inside the terminal, more staff directed us. We were quickly registered and given a number indicating what section we should proceed to.  The waiting areas were clearly marked, and there were large video screens in each section showing the numbers that were being served.    


After only a few minutes, we were guided into another adjacent waiting area, directly outside the cubicles where the shots were administered.  I was almost immediately shown to a cubicle.  Soon a young nurse came in. She asked me a few health related questions and had me sign a form.  She also explained possible reactions to the vaccine and what I might expect as perfectly normal, such as soreness or a little swelling.  By the way, the vaccine I received is from Pfizer out of Germany.

Since I am right handed, I decided to get the vaccine in my left arm.  The shot itself did not hurt at all.  I had worn a loose sleeved abaya and a sleeveless dress underneath so it was easy to just roll up the sleeve and not have to remove any clothing.  

The nurse told me that they were expecting about 5000 people today (a Saturday) coming in for the vaccine.  Normally during the week, she said they were serving an average of about 2000-3000 people per day. 


We were then directed to another waiting area.  After the vaccine is administered, we were required to wait for 15 minutes before we could leave, just to make sure that there were no immediate adverse reactions.  Complimentary water was also provided.  

We were finished and on our way home by 9:07 am.  All in all, it was a very good experience. The staff were all extremely professional, helpful, and knowledgeable. The operation is well marked, well run, and efficient.  Kudos to the Ministry of Health - a job well done! 


31 comments:

  1. You are fortunate to get the vaccine in such an efficient and organized way. Hurrah!

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  2. Sachtayn, Susie!
    Yours is so organized and orderly.
    I go this Tuesday to get my Pfizer vaccine. Let's hope it really works. :)

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  3. That is wonderful and congratulations! I wish we could have the vaccine ASAP in the US. 2021 might be rocky and bizarre, but we will get vaccinated eventually. I know I will! Peaceful, healthy, safe new year to you and your followers!

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  4. Great post Susie. I went with my mother two weeks ago and it was good experience. I am registered to get my vaccination hopefully soon

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  5. This is a great report! It's detailed, clear and timely. I just hope the vaccine dispensation process in the US is as efficient.

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  6. How marvellous to get the vaccine so soon and have the appointment for the next dose. And have everything so well organised. I have no idea when I might get the vaccine here in Ontario, Canada, it all seems to be a bit of a muddle.

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  7. Way to go! At least there's hope for us all. I can't wait to lose the fear in my heart. Happy New Year.

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  8. Susie - so glad to meet you through the blogging community! Thanks so much for your recent visit to my blog and your kind comments. I am very interested in your journey and plan to start visiting your blog regularly. Congrats on getting the vaccine so soon - my husband and I are WAY DOWN on the list ... Happy New Year to you!

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  9. Hello and I came in from Junk Boat travels. I got my first vaccine for covid today and had no trouble. Hope you have time to stop in for cup of coffee.

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  10. Sounds like a well organized event ~ be safe ~ be well ~

    Moment by Moment,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  11. Hello,
    Sounds like a very well run operation for getting the vaccine there. We are still waiting for doses of vaccine to be available. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week ahead.

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  12. Sounds good. I'll have to wait for quite awhile and mask-up. You've probably had your second round by now.

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  13. Sounds very organized indeed.
    Yet, so far here (Germany) they admit the have no idea of side effects or if the vaccine really works, also with the mutants, as they call it (every living being "mutates, right).
    I´ll wait. But fingers crossed it went well for you!

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  14. Yay! I'm so glad you were able to get your first shot, Susie. It's such a relief, isn't it? I'm waiting for my 2nd one. Hoping it won't be a problem.

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  15. Where is the location for Pfizer vaccine in jeddah?why they remove from sehhaty ?

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  16. In January? And - it went so smoothly.
    I am impressed.

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  17. Thanks for writing such an awesome article. Good to understand that you took vaccine. Due to this ongoing covid pandemic I always prefer shopping online here in Saudi. I found a online store named Saudi Online Shopping . They provide a seamless and secure shopping platform with 100+ million products from around the globe delivered to 163+ countries across the globe. They even provide international shipping so we can shop from any part of the globe and product will be delivered at doorsteps. Kindly check them out. HAPPY SHOPPING :)

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  18. I can see it was pretty well organized. Glad you got vaccinated.

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  19. Hi Susie. Nice documentation of an efficient operation!
    Thanks for your comment on my blog. I'm very sorry to hear about your family members.
    I was a little shocked when I read your comment and saw 400,000 cases in a city of 4 million that would be over 10% infected. I couldn't find data specifically for Jeddah but I found that the 417k cases and 6957 deaths are for all of Saudi Arabia (35.2 million population). Which means 1.18% have been infected and of those infected 98.33% survived. I think that's even better than where I live. However, there are 1335 people in serious condition with COVID in Saudi Arabia that's over 13% of active cases.
    Hopefully the vaccine works well without long term side effects.

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  20. Thanks and praise be at all times to the most holy and most holy sacrament of amen

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  21. Thanks for sharing your vaccine shot experience. When things are well organized and professional help are at hand to render assistance, the people will feel safe and will trust the people administering the vaccine. Congratulations on getting your first dose.

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  22. Congratulations! I'm always happy to hear of someone getting the covid vaccine as it hopefully means less infections worldwide. My husband and I had both doses and fortunately we did not have any major symptoms afterward. I hope the same for you.

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  23. glad you got the first dose ~ lovely photos of where you live ~ Xo

    Live in the moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  24. Interesting to see that , no matter the country, the way to get vaccined is more or less the same . I hope you had no side effects.

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  25. I’m so glad you are protected, Susie. It’s crazy that we have no many COVID deniers and Anti-Vaxxers in the US right now.

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  26. ...soon we will get our second booster.

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