Date: 8 June 2021
After trying for over month to get a vaccination slot under the 18-44 age group, I finally managed to get a slot for a paid vaccination at Aster MIMS hospital (I got Covishield which is the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine). The previous day, I kept checking on the CoWIN website at various intervals throughout the day but found checking post-9pm to work best for Aster MIMS’ slot update.
I didn’t really want to pay Rs. 950 for vaccination nor drive all the way to Chala where the hospital was located but the only other options available for 18 and older in Kannur city were at a few government hospitals, and they wouldn’t display availability everyday. Even if they did, the slots would get filled in seconds — making it very difficult to book anything. My cousin who did manage to get a free jab at one such government hospital said checking CoWIN around 3pm-ish worked for him for government hospitals.
None the less, upon successfully getting myself a slot for 3pm to 4pm at Aster MIMS, I got my appointment slip in PDF format. I saved it to my phone as you need to show the four digit ‘secret code’ in the slip at the vaccination center.
I entered the hospital via the main entrance where the security guards were and they told me parking spaces in front of the hospital was full and that I would have to park all the way in the back. But I saw the security staff handing out numbered tokens. So I got the token first before going to find a parking spot.
Here’s a tip: get the token first before going to park. The sheer number of people walking in to Aster MIMS, the token numbers go by very fast!
Even though there were lots of people, the lines move fast. My token number was 1004 and after around 10 minutes of waiting, the security staff announced and requested token numbers 1000 to 1030 to line up.
Once they pull up your details, they will ask to see the ID proof (Aadhar, passport, PAN card, etc.) you submitted when registering online. If you are not carrying the physical card, they need at least a photo of the ID proof on your phone. Don’t argue with the staff if you have neither — come prepared!
They will then ask for the four digit secret code in your appointment slip. Once that’s all done, you move to the second line.
Aster MIMS takes cash and credit card as payment options. I asked about Google Pay, PayTM and PhonePe but they said they’re not currently accepting digital wallets. On this day, I paid Rs. 950 for the dose but it’s now brought down to Rs. 780 ($10/€8.7) per dose.
After that, you enter the vaccination room. No photography was allowed where you get jabbed, so unfortunately, I couldn’t take a “I got vaccinated selfie”. Oh well. I was only in the vaccination room for just 10 seconds. It happens very quickly.
I was handed two paracetamol pills and asked to take one as soon as I got home. I was told of the possible side effects (headache, body pain, fever, etc.)
And that was it. I just spent less than an hour at the hospital and I drove back home. Even though there are a lot of people coming in, the vaccination process moves fast. Vaccination ends by 5pm.
But on-the-spot registration doesn’t mean you will get the vaccination immediately. It’s for those who don’t want to bother with CoWIN and trying to book a slot online. Based on the daily supply, you will be told when you will likely get the jab. Priority is still given to those who registered online and booked a slot through CoWIN.
As for the side-effects, I only experienced a mild headache but I did find my joints felt a bit of strain when stressed. I avoided taking the paracetamol but I also avoided working for too long or exercising.
My second dose is due in August and I’m hoping by then, supply would be increased and I can get a slot without much hassle at a public health center closer to home where I can get vaccinated for free.
