Medpark Pfizer Experience August 10.

[Chomper Higgot]

Following link provided by a forum member (who I have thanked) I got my appointment, then I got the revised dates and duly showed up at Medpark this morning.

 

I arrived at 7:50 to find a queue of around 150 people, by ten past 8 it had nearly doubled.

Hospital staff then split the queue, which was impinging on the main Hospital entrance, I stayed where I was while others where taken to queue about 20 meters away. 

 

People were here still joining the queue I was in causing visible anxiety to those who had been taken across the driveway.

 

Staff put up posters which very clearly stated what vaccine would be administered based on age and health status, I was to receive Pfizer.

 

The queue was moving and I reached the check-in, just outside the door where my passport was confirmed against the appointment list and I was given a queue number, at around 9:15, within five minutes I had a seat in the waiting room and five minutes after that my blood pressure was taken.

 

Thereafter it was like clockwork, within half an hour my number was called out; I was taken to a registration desk were I handed over my passport confirmed my name and age, height and weight. I was then given a one page medical questionnaire to complete and an authority to receive my vaccine.

 

In return I was given my vaccination papers which included the date of my second appointment.

 

A short walk to the next area were I took a seat to await my turn ( there were 6? booths, two for AZ, two for Pfizer and two for Sinopharm.

 

I was called into the first Pfizer booth and moments later I was done.

 

I was lead to the next area where I handed my papers to the desk, they time stamped the papers and told me to take a seat.

 

30 minutes later my name was called out, I was called to a blood pressure testing station, BP checked and my papers were handed back to me.

 

Car door to car door in under three hours.

 

Side effects: I have a slight headache.

 

I’m very grateful to the US Government (Thank you Joe) for the vaccine, to the Medpark staff who administered this so well and to the forum member who posted the Medpark link, which I otherwise would have missed.

 

On a personal note, the needle went in my arm and a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I don’t think I was aware of how profoundly troubling the constant hunt for a vaccine had become.

 

 

 

 

[danferguson]

So, you got the vaccine you expressed a preference for, yes? ie Pfizer

 

My worry was they they would bait and switch people to AZ/Sinovac

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, danferguson said:

So, you got the vaccine you expressed a preference for, yes? ie Pfizer

 

My worry was they they would bait and switch people to AZ/Sinovac

My expressed preference was Pfizer, I got  Pfizer.

[Caldera]

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

In return I was given my vaccination papers which included the date of my second appointment.

How many weeks do they leave between the 1st and the 2nd jab with Pfizer?

[Chomper Higgot]

7 minutes ago, Caldera said:

How many weeks do they leave between the 1st and the 2nd jab with Pfizer?

3 weeks

[rodknock]

got my pfizer shot today at med park.

once inside went very professional.

in and out in under 2 hours.

next shot aug.31

very pleased other than the line outside.

i thank everyone for the hard work they have done.

[Jeffr2]

When you have completed the course, there's about a 99% probability you won't die nor end up in a hospital. For me, that's a huge relief. Though I still wear a mask and social distance.

 

Congrats!

[wprime]

I went there at 12pm, 4pm, and 7pm.

 

First two times there were massive queues so I went home.

 

7pm, went in, injection at 7:10pm, 30 mins for observation, 7:40pm. Very promptly handled.

[SooKee]

8 hours ago, wprime said:

I went there at 12pm, 4pm, and 7pm.

 

First two times there were massive queues so I went home.

 

7pm, went in, injection at 7:10pm, 30 mins for observation, 7:40pm. Very promptly handled.

Interesting you were able to go at 7:10pm.  One of the issues for me with Medpark is conflicting information and the fact that for me, their email update system isn't working.  I had an appointment for 6:30 pm on the 10th but having heard that they'd changed the timings I mailed them to ask (using a different email address) and was told I could go at 6:30pm OR between 8am and 5pm.  Went over a couple of times during the day and saw it was like Bang Sue 2 with very long queues and zero social distancing.  Asked the staff inside at the desk and they said that there were no evening appointments and that you HAD to come between 8am and 5pm now.  Clearly they haven't got a clue.  Annoying really as I'd far sooner have stuck to my original appointment time.  Shambolic really.

[csmith]

Can we have this in Chiangmai now …. Please.

[malibukid]

i registered on the expatvac website and still waiting for my appointment in CM.  until than Thailand needs to recognize the fully vaccinated who are returning from other countries without all this quarantine BS. like other civilized countries.  

[Andrew Dwyer]

Similar story to Chomper for me.

It was brought to my attention that MedPark were offering Pfizer to over 60 foreigners on Sunday 1st August ( was trying to register for expatvac at the time ). 
Acquired a Wed 11th Aug at 19.30 slot immediately with MedPark, couple of days later was informed by email could go anytime 08.00 - 17.00 10th to 12th..

 

Arrived 9.30 am yesterday, large queue round the outside, a few queue jumpers ( Indian ) were dealt with.

Entered the building around 10.45 after showing passport only, was told already would get Pfizer as 60 year old.

 

NOTE: if under 60 and want Pfizer need proof of medical issue , some people appeared agitated at not having any/sufficient proof and were offered AZ or nothing.

 

The hall was packed, two desks AZ and five for Pfizer ( didn’t see Sinopharm, think they were now moved upstairs ) shortly after the desks all became Pfizer and AZ crew sent to a different hall alleviating the crowd.

Got jabbed at 12 noon, returning on Aug 31 ( 3 weeks ).

 

I think Medpark were taken by surprise by the amount of people but dealt with it well, when I left at 12.30 the queue outside was down to around 30.

[Olmate]

Thanks ,can I ask did you feel any side effects to the jab . I have family in Oz who became quite ill after their jabs. Cheers

[55Jay]

Good report, thanks for posting. 

Granted it's only the 11th of August, however, the idea that some of these Pfizer doses would be distributed to other provinces around Thailand, is ebbing in my mind.   Confidence wasn't high to begin with, but we'll see.

[Andrew Dwyer]

37 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Thanks ,can I ask did you feel any side effects to the jab . I have family in Oz who became quite ill after their jabs. Cheers

In my case, only slight discomfort last night and this morning in line with any inter muscular injection.

[cardinalblue]

Sleepless in Chiang Mai...nothing worse than saying communication will occur on specific dates and then nothing...

 

Very bad to leave people hanging....when you communicate, make sure you say what you said. You follow though with accountability, clarity and professionalism....

 

Anxiety quite high in many CM ex-pats....

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, 55Jay said:

Granted it's only the 11th of August, however, the idea that some of these Pfizer doses would be distributed to other provinces around Thailand, is ebbing in my mind.   Confidence wasn't high to begin with, but we'll see.

I'm still feeling confident here at the end of the road at the edge of the jungle ... I'm checking my emails only about 20 times a day, and my b/f's mobile for SMS only about 10 times a day.

 

Expecting the call at any moment.

[SooKee]

Much better organised at Medpark than yesterday and nowhere near as crowded.

Went over at 07:30, very short queue, 40 + people.  Waited about 15 minutes then the staff called for anyone over 60 to form a queue within a queue, they have now separated the reception desks, one for over 60s the other for everyone else.  You need to scan a QR code displayed on noticeboards near the queue.  This brings up a webform with simple Q&A about whether you have any covid or similar symptoms.  After you hit submit it will bring up a screen which they will want to see at the desk as it indicates the level of risk and whether or not you can use the normal queue.  The reception desk will then give you a queue number.

 

By 07:50 I was inside in a well organised seating area where a nurse was coming round with a mobile BP machine checking BP and noting your weight and height (they just ask you).  Don't throw the plastic sleeve they give you to cover your arm when they take your BP as you will need it in the observation area.  After that you wait to be called to service desks where they enter details into a system and give you a medical conditions form where you simply tick the boxes and sign a vaccine consent form.  They hand you a set of papers to take inside.

 

After that straight into an area with the injection stations (about 4-5 in all), jab straight away  (requested and got Pfizer)  and then into the observation area where, after handing your sheaf of papers to the staff at the desk, you have a 30 minutes wait after which they will give you your next appointment sheet (3 week wait) with details of your jab.

1) Contrary to the advice from some staff they are still doing evening appointments so you can still go for it if you have one.

 

2) If you have trouble standing or for any other reason need a wheelchair DON"T wait in the normal queue.  Got to the main door entrance and speak to the staff.  They will arrange a wheel chair and wheel you straight in to the system without waiting.

 

I left the hospital just before 9:00am and by that time there were still very few people in the queue, again 40 or so.

 

Looks like they learned from the problems yesterday and adjusted their processes but it was strange that there were so few people.  Maybe down to a first day rush yesterday or maybe it was the last day for appointments Thai folks had from their Mor Prom registrations?  All guessing but there were very few Thai citizens there today.

[bbabythai]

17 hours ago, danferguson said:

So, you got the vaccine you expressed a preference for, yes? ie Pfizer

 

My worry was they they would bait and switch people to AZ/Sinovac

You must be American. Watching too many American movies perhaps?

[Almer]

2 hours ago, malibukid said:

i registered on the expatvac website and still waiting for my appointment in CM.  until than Thailand needs to recognize the fully vaccinated who are returning from other countries without all this quarantine BS. like other civilized countries.  

Also registered on   expatvac living in Khonkaen aged 72, not contacted yet.

[Andrew Dwyer]

9 minutes ago, Almer said:

Also registered on   expatvac living in Khonkaen aged 72, not contacted yet.

Try registration on here:

 

https://thailandintervac.com/

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

10 minutes ago, Almer said:

Also registered on   expatvac living in Khonkaen aged 72, not contacted yet.

Don’t wait for expatvac.

I registered on the thailandintervac site and got Pfizer yesterday.

[Jen65]

I have my appointment at MedPark on the 14th (3 days time)  and I want the Pfizer vaccine .  It was mentioned that someone received a date for a second Pfizer jab three weeks later .    Doing my research it can be more beneficial to receive the AZ vaccine as a second dose after four weeks .     I was wondering if this was mentioned or requested by anyone and the Hospitals reply ?? 

[Andrew Dwyer]

14 minutes ago, Jen65 said:

I have my appointment at MedPark on the 14th (3 days time)  and I want the Pfizer vaccine .  It was mentioned that someone received a date for a second Pfizer jab three weeks later .    Doing my research it can be more beneficial to receive the AZ vaccine as a second dose after four weeks .     I was wondering if this was mentioned or requested by anyone and the Hospitals reply ?? 

5 people on this thread got Pfizer with 3 weeks until 2nd Pfizer jab.

 I would say that the chances that any of these 5 , including myself, requested AZ for the 2nd jab in 4 weeks time are extremely unlikely .

Have you inquired at the hospital about this happening ??

Seems like the most likely way to get an answer.

[alanrchase]

Reading this it appears there is no longer an appointment system. I am due on the 12th at 12.30 but it seems I may as well turn up at 07.30?

[wwest5829]

Happy for Bangkok all, including compatriots. In Chiang Mai ... American, age 74, documented heart issues. Registered, document submitted, successful registration confirmed .    Crickets ...

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

12 minutes ago, alanrchase said:

Reading this it appears there is no longer an appointment system. I am due on the 12th at 12.30 but it seems I may as well turn up at 07.30?

The appointment system has been far from perfect .

I think the later appointments ( mine was 19.30  today ) received an email stating to go 08.00 - 17.00 on 10th to 12th.

Of the 4 people I talked to ( including myself) yesterday 2 had received the second email and 2 ( with earlier appts ) hadn’t, the 2 with earlier appts were surprised by the crowd.

Although my next appt is 11.57 am ( Aug 31 ) she told me to go anytime between 08.00 and 16.00 .

[Jeffr2]

1 hour ago, Jen65 said:

I have my appointment at MedPark on the 14th (3 days time)  and I want the Pfizer vaccine .  It was mentioned that someone received a date for a second Pfizer jab three weeks later .    Doing my research it can be more beneficial to receive the AZ vaccine as a second dose after four weeks .     I was wondering if this was mentioned or requested by anyone and the Hospitals reply ?? 

Not at all. Stick with Pfizer. Plus, mixed doses may not be recognized as "legal" for entry into some countries.

 

I have read that a Pfizer jab is good as a follow up to the first AZ jab. But not the other way around.

 

We'll probably be getting boosters in the not too distant future anyway. Pfizer has one ready.

[khunPer]

I got an AZ jab a while ago - my first, and I'm happy and satisfied with that - it was very well administered and kind staff.

 

However, before I reached that far there were some confusing appointment systems - mainly due to some people, who not eligible for vaccination under the circumstances, tried to squeeze themselves in - but then a special designed app appeared for the purpose, and everything went fast and smooth. I'm thankful to the Thai nation for also taking care of an alien like me...????????

[Chomper Higgot]

31 minutes ago, alanrchase said:

Reading this it appears there is no longer an appointment system. I am due on the 12th at 12.30 but it seems I may as well turn up at 07.30?

You still need to have an appointment to be in the list of people who will get a vaccine, but yes you can turn up early.