THE Davao City Government is set to conduct a localized survey to determine the level of acceptance of the different sectors within the community of the Covid-19 vaccine.
City Health Office (CHO) Acting Head Dr. Ashley Lopez said in a radio interview on Thursday, February 18, that the survey is part of the city's effort in the vaccination program.
"We are still trying to come up with a local survey para ma-determine nato kung unsay acceptability rate sa mga Dabawenyo bahin sa atong bakuna (to determine the acceptability rate of Dabawenyos of the vaccine)," Lopez said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
The health official said the plan was mentioned during the city's Covid-19 Task Force Meeting on Wednesday, February 17.
He did not mention when they will conduct the survey and how many respondents will be tapped.
However, in a separate previous radio interview, both Lopez and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said some Dabawenyos, through word of mouth, are having reservations in getting the vaccine due to various factors.
Lopez said the city will intensify its information campaign to convince Dabawenyos to get a Covid-19 vaccine.
He said "false claims" against the vaccine hinder the local government in achieving high confidence in the vaccine rollout.
While adverse effects in vaccines are expected, the CHO head stressed that its benefits outweigh the adverse effects.
"Kung ikompara nimo ang benefits sa Covid-19 vaccine, taas kaayo kumpara sa (If we would compare the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine, it outweighs) adverse effects," Lopez said.
He added, "Di man pwede walay adverse effects kay tambal man na, vaccine man na. Natural ra na siya. (It is impossible that a vaccine won't have any adverse effects. It is only natural.) Although dili na siya (It is not) 100-percent, but we will expect what comes as the worst thing that could happen."
The Local Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI) Committee will look at the side effects of the vaccines that the city will administer to its constituents.
Lopez said the committee is one of the primary components in the preparation of the vaccination program.
He emphasized that since it is a new vaccine, the city will strictly monitor the effects of the vaccine on its constituents.
Duterte-Carpio said the local government will set up an online registration site to forecast the number of vaccine doses the city will initially need.
The mayor said the online registration will be intended for those who are willing to get the Covid-19 vaccine since not all Dabawenyos are willing to get the vaccine.
Based on a survey by the University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO), conducted from December 7 to 19, 2020, only two out of 10 Dabawenyos expressed unwillingness to get the vaccine because of possible side effects, fear of complication, personal mistrust in vaccines, lack of empirical clinical studies affirming the safety of the vaccine, among others.
Also, three out of 10 of the respondents expressed uncertainty whether to get the vaccine or not, "with key reasons of uncertainty such as uncertainty of the efficacy of the vaccines, personal decision to observe the situation first, possible side effects to the body, general skepticism on vaccines and the like."
On Thursday, February 18, during the virtual massive education information on Covid-19 and benefits of vaccination, Davao City assistant health officer Dr. Marjorie Culas said they are aiming to inoculate at least 70 percent of the total population to combat coronavirus infection.
"At least 70 percent man lang ang makuha natin, that is already enough to achieve yung herd immunity (We are targeting at least 70 percent, that is already enough to achieve herd immunity)," Culas said during a virtual conference.
Herd immunity, according to the World Health Organization, happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed from the previous infection.