Revealed: Realities of getting your Pfizer vaccine in Warwick

As experts urge Warwick residents get vaccinated to protect themselves and their community, a Daily News journo shares their first-experience and just how easy it is to get vaccinated.

With Warwick only kilometres from the NSW border and the state’s escalating Covid outbreak, the community is being urged to take advantage of the Pfizer vaccination clinic in town this week.

Operating from the Warwick Showgrounds for close to 12 hours a day, Darling Downs Health is anticipating up to 1600 residents will roll up their sleeves for the vaccine each day.

After the near-agonising wait for wider availability of the Pfizer vaccine in Warwick, I was eager to register for the jab and do my small part to protect myself and the community against any exposure to the virus.

While there’s no denying the Covid vaccine remains a controversial topic and many remain unsure, I hope my first-hand experience can shed a little light on the process and put even a few of our fellow Rose City residents’ minds at ease.

Here’s what you need to know about getting your Pfizer vaccine in Warwick:

BOOKING IN

While the Warwick clinic is accepting walk-ins for any eligible residents, booking in advance is being encouraged by Darling Downs Health and certainly made the process easier.

Head to Queensland Health’s vaccination booking page and register your interest to be vaccinated, being sure to select ‘all other eligible criteria’ in the cohort field on the form.

It should take only a few hours to receive an invitation to make an appointment at the Warwick Showgrounds Pfizer clinic (if you have previously registered for the Covid vaccine, you may receive an invitation automatically).

You will then able to choose your timeslot from those available, with the clinic running from 7.30am – 6.30pm until Friday and 7.30am – 11.30am on Saturday.

Once you’ve finalised the appointment, you will receive a final confirmation email and a reminder on the day.

Appointments can also be made by calling 131 COVID.

AstraZeneca remains the preferred vaccine for residents over 60, and anyone who has received one dose of that variant must get AstraZeneca for their second.

ON THE DAY

It’s recommended residents arrive at least five minutes prior to their appointment to avoid any backlog, but I only just made it to the clinic in time and had no issues whatsoever.

After checking in with the Check in QLD app at the front gates, you will be directed to a security checkpoint outside the pavilion and asked to answer a few questions about any cold or flu symptoms and interstate travel before heading inside.

You’ll then need to confirm your ID, Medicare, and appointment details at the front desk before moving through.

If you haven’t pre-booked an appointment, it’s here you’ll be asked to provide your basic identification information along with Medicare details.

You will be given a vaccination card to take in with you, and then it’s time to head on in and get the jab!

GETTING VACCINATED

This is likely the part of the process most people are apprehensive about, but I personally found it to be quick and almost completely painless.

There are more than 20 of nursing stations so there’s next to no wait time, and all of the staff are friendly, make you feel comfortable, and give you the opportunity to ask any remaining questions you may have about the vaccine.

Once you’ve answered a few more questions about any health conditions, medications, or reactions to past vaccines, it’s time to roll up your sleeve and get the jab.

The needle itself felt like a tiny pinprick in the arm, with no immediate pain or discomfort.

The nurse will then sign off on your vaccination card and send you through to the recovery area.

RECOVERY AND NEXT APPOINTMENT

You will spend 15 minutes in the recovery area so staff can be sure there’s no immediate or severe reaction to the vaccine.

There are further information pamphlets available and the medical team are able to answer any follow-up questions you might have.

Once your recovery time is up, head up to the front desk to have the appointment for your second dose of Pfizer confirmed and written on your vaccination card. You’ll also receive a confirmation email with the follow-up time.

And that’s it - all in all, the process took about half an hour. It was about four hours after getting the jab at the time of writing, and I had no pain or symptoms aside from the feeling of a slightly dead or heavy arm.

Attending the Warwick Pfizer clinic was quick and painless with no lasting effects, making it easy to fit in or around your work day or weekend plans.

Getting vaccinated is simple, free, and the most airtight way to protect yourself and the fellow members of our community from Covid.

The Federal Government has indicated fewer lockdowns, eased restrictions, and more travel once at least 70 per cent of Australians are fully vaccinated against the virus.

If you’re eligible and able, roll up your sleeves and let’s make sure Warwick is a state leader on the road back to normalcy.