KUALA LUMPUR: Although assured that she would be safe from Covid-19 after getting the first of two vaccine inoculations in the United States several days ago, Sharon Lam, 36, is not letting her guard down.
The Malaysian living in Brooklyn, New York, said she would remain cautious and practise safety measures against Covid-19, such as physical distancing and wearing face masks.
Speaking to the New Sunday Times, Lam, a licensed massage therapist, said: "I received my Moderna vaccination on Jan 19 at the New York City Health Department office building, although the vaccination was administered by affiliated physicians.
"I had to complete a survey using a QR code and showed them my state identification card, a letter from my employer, which also contained our National Provider Identifier, as well as to prove my eligibility, and had my temperature checked.
"I filled out a consent form and was sent to one of the vaccine stations.
"Following the vaccination, we were required to wait at the facility for about 20 minutes for observation.
"When I was cleared to leave, they checked to see if I was experiencing any side effect. I only had a sore arm and was able to resume my activities."
Lam, who went to the US as a student in 2013 and is now a permanent resident, said she was scheduled to obtain her second dose of the vaccine 28 days after her first inoculation.
She was told that she would have a four-day grace period after that time to ensure the inoculation had maximum effect.
Lam said she was doubtful at first about the safety of the vaccine.
"But I trust scientists and the world's greatest minds who came together to work on this.
"As for doubts about its efficacy, trials have shown that it may provide up to 95 per cent immunity with the completion of both doses and will reach a peak about two weeks after the second dose."
Lam said New York's vaccination was conducted in stages and they were in Phase 1(b).
There were not many guidelines on eligibility and due to a vaccine shortage, it had come to Lam's understanding that some people in her profession had been turned away.
She was first informed by her employer of their eligibility as a medical massage clinic in Manhattan and later received an email from the American Massage Therapy Association.
Lam said the email said that licensed massage therapists, especially those performing a medically necessary massage, might be eligible.
She filled in the eligibility form on the New York state website and, upon approval, was allowed to make an appointment, which she secured after a short wait.
As they are now in Phase 1(b) and with more people becoming eligible, she heard that it was now much harder to get an appointment.
She said some Malaysians in the healthcare industry or those who were essential grocery workers, teachers or those over 65 might have received them.
New York was one of the hardest hit in the US at the start of the pandemic, resulting in most New Yorkers wearing face masks and practising physical distancing.
Covid-19 testing, she added, was available free to New Yorkers, where many people identified as close contacts to colleagues at work can get tested every two weeks or so.
A year on from when the pandemic first struck, she said she missed social activities, such as meeting friends in person, dining out, taking classes in studios or going to the theatre.
"But for the most part, I am lucky to be able to go to work and have workplaces that do their best to ensure safety measures are taken.
"Wearing a mask seemed uncomfortable at first, but I am now used to having it on for 10 to 12 hours a day at work.
"I also wear eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield, when I am at work since I am in close contact with people.
"I try not to spend too much time at the grocery store and carry hand sanitiser everywhere I go."