Pattaya Expat gets Astra Zeneca in Bangkok during lockdown

[ASEAN NOW News]

We all seem to be hanging onto online rumour, as many of us elderly expats try to get a booking just to be vaccinated.

 

I have posted here before but for those who do not know, I fall under the category of VULNERABLE, as I am 71 years old with just one kidney.

 

After many frustrating attempts online and in person, I eventually managed to register with Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok for an Astra Zenica jab this week at 9am.

 

Just for the record I understand that this service is for Expats over a certain age, but I know a few that have been vaccinated who are under 60 years old.

 

Then having confirmed my booking, Pattaya became a Dark Red Zone and inter province travel was restricted.

 

I therefore called the town hall switch board and a lady there said just take a copy of the hospital booking and expect to show my passport.

 

Thinking there may be long queues along the express way, I left early but managed to reach the hospital 45 minutes before my time. No check points along the way!

 

Apprehensive

 

For those like me who had been apprehensive about getting vaccinated, I was a bit concerned when I arrived, and when they took my blood pressure it was high.

 

My moment. (Photo by nurse)

 

After a lot of completing forms, eventually a Doctor gave me the vaccination, which I have to say was just a short pin <deleted>.

 

The nurse assisting also used my mobile to take a photo…. she said everyone wants a photo taken!!!

 

You then wait for 30 minutes afterwards to check you are OK and at the end they retook my blood pressure and it was back down to normal. Must have been the stress!

 

 

Before I left, they gave me a card saying the date of the 1st vaccination and mid-October was the date given for jab No.2. I also got my prized badge too.

 

Side Effects?

 

Now we have all heard about the side effects ranging from high fevers to headaches and even diarrhea.

 

So, I left immediately as I wanted to drive back to Pattaya quickly just in case.

 

Again, no check points!

 

The result was I arrived home in one piece, and 24 hours later I now am pleased to say I have no side effects; however, I could possibly get a rection today.

 

In conclusion, I can understand why there is a growing number of people who are against taking any vaccine, certainly until they are proven.

 

Personally, I now feel slightly more protected, although getting the second jab would make me feel a lot happier.

 

I just hope the doses keep arriving in large numbers sooner than later.

 

I wrote of my experience this Friday in the hope that my personal trip to be vaccinated, may encourage more to apply.

 

By the way, the good news was it was all free!!!

[brewsterbudgen]

Was it free? I registered with Bumrungrad back in May and was given an appointment for the end of July, so I'm still unvaccinated. But my jab is free.

[ASEAN NOW News]

3 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Was it free? I registered with Bumrungrad back in May and was given an appointment for the end of July, so I'm still unvaccinated. But my jab is free.

yes nothing to pay.

[codemonkey]

What was your blood pressure prior to the jab?

[Jingthing]

"In conclusion, I can understand why there is a growing number of people who are against taking any vaccine, certainly until they are proven."

‐---

I can't understand being anti vax.

 

THEY ARE PROVEN!

Edited July 24, 2021 by Jingthing

[ASEAN NOW News]

1 hour ago, codemonkey said:

What was your blood pressure prior to the jab?

165 then after 143

[mtls2005]

1 hour ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

After many frustrating attempts online and in person, I eventually managed to register with Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok for an Astra Zenica jab this week at 9am.

 

Can you share any details regarding how you were able to register with Bumrungrad?

 

This is perhaps the single most important bit of detail for most of us who want a vaccination, but are unable to confirm one to date.

 

 

 

 

[Heng]

Yeah, when I went back and looked at my jab photo, one nurse taking the photo and the nurse giving the jab was doing it one handed and looking at the camera too.    Next time I'm just going to say I don't need a photo.   (so you can be looking at the injection site on my arm)

 

Huge credit to them though working through this.   

[ASEAN NOW News]

12 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Can you share any details regarding how you were able to register with Bumrungrad?

 

This is perhaps the single most important bit of detail for most of us who want a vaccination, but are unable to confirm one to date.

 

 

 

 

call and ask for the Expatriate Liaison Centre 

[KhunBENQ]

Pattaya - Bangkok - Pattaya

No checkpoints.

Saw a vlog yesterday showing the same.

No buses, so take a taxi and drive home to Bangkok without any hassle.

Don't tell anybody, must remain secret

 

I have an appointment with Medpark hospital for AZ vaccination in August.

Will do a 450km one way trip and then... return home or hide in the jungle.

My wife panicks about quarantine on return.

[Denim]

2 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

I could possibly get a rection today.

Ah....so a little Viagra included with the vaccine.

[KhunBENQ]

4 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

Before I left, they gave me a card saying the date of the 1st vaccination and mid-October was the date given for jab No.2. I also got my prized badge too.

So they really stretch it to ~ 12 weeks.

I assume the card could serve as proof of first AZ shot like required for Phuket? (if rules haven't changed again)

 

[Thaifly88]

I just called Bumrungrad Hospital. They are not accepting any appointments at the moment and have no outlook for availability. They said if you are over 60, have underlying conditions as well as a Thai Social Security ID, you can be vaccinated via the government rollout.

I am 64 with underlying conditions - this was not enough to qualify.  

[jayboy]

2 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

call and ask for the Expatriate Liaison Centre 

Since from May onward, Bumrungrad has been fobbing off many expatriates with an existing Bumrungrad hospital number, medical records, Thai ID including pink book, and qualified in terms of age (over 60) and underlying conditions - I'm moved to congratulate you but remain hazy on what distinguishes you from many others.

 

I'm pleased for you but would be interested in your thoughts about what made your application succeed.

[Tarteso]

4 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

For those like me who had been apprehensive

Myself ????

[Acharn]

There is a well known syndrome among many people who have temporarily elevated blood pressure when they go to see a doctor. Happens to me every time, i.e. every month when I go to renew my prescription. Sometimes the nurse will take it a second time after a ten or fifteen minute wait and it's back down to normal, sometimes it doesn't go back down. My doctor, who I have complete faith in, says it's nothing to worry about.

[yimlitnoy]

46 minutes ago, jayboy said:

Since from May onward, Bumrungrad has been fobbing off many expatriates with an existing Bumrungrad hospital number, medical records, Thai ID including pink book, and qualified in terms of age (over 60) and underlying conditions - I'm moved to congratulate you but remain hazy on what distinguishes you from many others.

 

I'm pleased for you but would be interested in your thoughts about what made your application succeed.

Having only 1 kidney instead of more than one, I suppose might have help!  Any thought of selling one?

Edited July 24, 2021 by yimlitnoy
correction

[chilly07]

How did you get registered? This is the most important part of your post and is missing?

[sead]

I would have thought of getting vaccinated if I were your age and had some sickness. But at 51 in not gambling with my life. I already have antibodies and I reccomend everyone to first check for antibodies before considering vaccines. 

[Mister MXYZPTLK]

MedPark is probably one the largest vaccine distribution sites in Bangkok.  They are allocated more vaccine that most hospitals combined (according to a contact at Bumrungrad Hospital).  I would try there

first.  Bumrungrad supply is limited.  I was fortunate to receive my AZ in Samui.  No Side effects what-so-ever.  EXCEPT for when you walk amongst the population and they see that you’ve been vaccinated, 

they treat you like a superstar! ???? ????‍♂️

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

The nurse assisting also used my mobile to take a photo…. she said everyone wants a photo taken!!!

Only for the cheap Thai promotion that one more farang got vaccinated...

[I am however happy that you got yours... ]

[hotchilli]

Headline reads "Pataya Expat" anyone spot the "singular form of the word"

Edited July 24, 2021 by hotchilli

[Husain Tula]

You are one of the lucky ones.  I am over 60, living in Bangkok with Hypertension, Diabetes type 2, and Cardiac patient with a stint.  I have been chasing all possible sources that offer the vaccine in Thailand and in my own country since last year.  I have registered in a number of Hospitals, health clinics and lately, the Ministry of Public Health, and until this minute, I don't have any booking date, nor any confirmation.  On contacting the places I booked to check, the answer is the same "there is no update and we will contact you when there is". I said it before, I give up.  On top of all of this, one of my diabetes medications is out of stock in the entire country and details of a substitute is hard to get.

[mtls2005]

46 minutes ago, Mister MXYZPTLK said:

MedPark is probably one the largest vaccine distribution sites in Bangkok.

 

 

Edited July 24, 2021 by mtls2005

[mtls2005]

duplicate post deleted

 

Edited July 24, 2021 by mtls2005

[ASEAN NOW News]

2 hours ago, jayboy said:

Since from May onward, Bumrungrad has been fobbing off many expatriates with an existing Bumrungrad hospital number, medical records, Thai ID including pink book, and qualified in terms of age (over 60) and underlying conditions - I'm moved to congratulate you but remain hazy on what distinguishes you from many others.

 

I'm pleased for you but would be interested in your thoughts about what made your application succeed.

i was registered with them for their kidny dept as I am with two hospitals in Pattaya. I got through on the tel number given after several attempts and explained my situation.

[jayboy]

7 minutes ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

i was registered with them for their kidny dept as I am with two hospitals in Pattaya. I got through on the tel number given after several attempts and explained my situation.

Well done for perseverance and you seem to be a very worthy candidate.

 

 

[Derek B]

I cannot fully understand why a venue was not made available for Covid vaccination in Pattaya or nearby.

Put a Thai Navy hospital ship into the bay - or use a Military Field Hospital for something worthwhile.

[janetdoe]

I had my first Astra jab last month (June 2021) in Bangkok. Was vaccinated at Kasetsart University. Also free and also had no side effects other than a sore upper arm. 
 

Was told the second vaccination would be 12-16 weeks. No idea if that will change.

[goatfarmer]

6 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

165 then after 143

Mine was over the top prior to getting jabbed: not the most restful environment for taking blood pressure. ???? Nurse said it was 'normal blood pressure'. They must have given up on people getting pre-jab jitters.