The women who administered the first vaccines say it’s a matter of pride

The women who administered the first vaccines say it’s a matter of pride

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

17.01.2021

Bengaluru: It was a night of apprehension for nursing officer Jesima Jalarmathi, who works with Nimhans, after she got a call on Friday evening, asking her to be prepared to administer Covid vaccines on Saturday. “I have been a nurse for 21 years, but this is a new vaccine and I was a bit worried. I could not sleep the entire night and kept praying all through,” Jalarmathi told STOI on Saturday, after vaccinating 38 people at Nimhans.

The first dose was given to Nimhans director Dr G Gururaj. Jalarmathi says she was a bit tense while administering the first injection, but was at ease later. “My colleagues gave me confidence and I felt better and was able to administer the injection gently,” said Jalarmathi, who overcame the initial jitters after giving the first dose. By day-end, senior professors at Nimhans appreciated Jalarmathi, saying she was gentle with the task at hand.

While administering the shots, Jalarmathi couldn’t stop thinking of her many colleagues, who contracted the virus in the last few months and a nursing officer who succumbed to Covid-19.

She left for work at 5.45am

Nurses at PMSSY Hospital attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, had undergone training in Covid vaccination and Jyothi N was one among them. On Friday night, they attended another online session conducted by the health and family welfare department on the vaccination procedure.

Jyothi, a trained nurse, boarded a bus from her house at Vijayapura near Devanahalli in Bengaluru Rural district at 5.45am to reach the hospital. “I had explained to my ten-year-old daughter that I’d be returning home late because of the vaccination drive. She knows about Covid-19 and was excited that I am going to give the first vaccine. It’s a matter of pride,” said Jyothi, who had no doubts in her mind while vaccinating the listed people and was seen explaining healthcare workers about the jab and the mandatory 30-minute observation period thereafter.

Jyothi, who had worked in Covid-19 wards multiple times, never tested positive for the virus. “Initially, there was fear of working in Covid wards, but we got used to it. There is no need to fear the vaccine as it is safe. I will also be getting it in a couple of days,” the nurse said.

TOP EFFORT: Jesima Jalarmathi works at Nimhans, while Jyothi N (right) is a nurse at PMSSY Hospital, which is attached to BMCRI