THE Davao City Health Office (CHO) has not recorded any severe adverse effects on those who were inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccines since the vaccination rollout started in the city on Friday, March 5, 2021.
"So far, so good. Wala naman tayong nakikitang (We have not seen any) major or severe adverse effects or complications coming from the vaccine," CHO Acting Head Dr. Ashley Lopez said on Monday, March 8, during the formal ceremony of the vaccine roll out to private medical frontliners at the Mabini Elementary School at Bangkal.
On March 5, 150 healthcare workers (HCWs) at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) were administered with Sinovac's Coronavac. SPMC officer-in-charge Dr. Ricardo Audan was the first to receive the vaccine.
Audan told SunStar Davao in a phone interview that he had not manifested any side effects days after he was vaccinated.
As of Sunday, March 7, he said a total of 960 SPMC workers had already been vaccinated.
He said out of the total number, 12 workers experienced mild adverse effects such as dizziness, mild headache, itchiness, redness of injected portion, and nausea.
All workers were discharged shortly after manifesting these symptoms.
He said more hospital workers were convinced to get the vaccine days after it was rolled out.
“Nakita nila nga the only way to be protected with Covid[-19] is through vaccination, regardless kung unsa maabot [nga vaccine], basta naay vaccine intended for Covid-19, go na mi, go na ang mga healthcare workers,” the SPMC chief said.
He added their intensified information helped them allay the HCWs’ fears in getting the vaccine.
Audan said they are targeting to vaccinate an estimated 5,900 workers, however, some workers were deferred from getting the vaccine, especially senior citizens and those with comorbidities as they are not recommended from getting the CoronaVac.
He said they will have to wait for the arrival of AstraZeneca.
Lopez, meanwhile, encouraged private HCWs to avail of the vaccine.
"We encourage every frontline healthcare worker, particularly in the private [sector] to submit themselves for vaccination. You are equally important to public healthcare," he said.
At present, a total of 33,600 Sinovac vaccines have been allocated and delivered for Davao Region by the national government on March 1 and 4.
Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, vaccination cluster head of Davao City, said 2,400 private healthcare workers are targeted to be inoculated this week.
Heads of the three hospitals, namely, Dr. Ronald Tangente of Davao Doctor's Hospital, Dr. Michael Jamiana of Brokenshire Hospital and Dr. Veronica Magnaye of San Pedro Hospital, were inoculated first during the ceremonial vaccination.
Lopez said the entire month of March is crucial for the city government as it is targeting to reach its goal of inoculating an approximate 1.2 million out of the 1.8 million estimated total population in the city.
Other LGUs start vaccination
On the same day, the provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Norte had received their share of allotted vaccines from the national government.
Some 1,800 vaccines have arrived at Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City, Davao del Norte for its vaccination rollout for its prioritized employees including medical frontliners and high risk employees.
DRMC Chief of Clinics Dr. Rodel Flores was the first to be vaccinated by Department of Health-Davao Region Director Anabelle Yumang.
"I feel fine," Flores told the media right after being vaccinated.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III also administered the vaccine to some high-ranking DRMC officials.
The provincial government of Davao de Oro, led by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, received 1,000 doses, also intended for its HCWs in its four provincial hospitals located in Montevista, Maragusan, Pantukan, and Laak.
A total of 600 doses were also allocated to hospitals in Mati and Lupon, Davao Oriental.
The Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center, St. Camillus Hospital and the Isolation of the Divine Healer in the City of Mati; and Lupon Municipal Isolation Facility will be the first ones that would benefit from the initial doses of Sinovac vaccines that arrived at the DOPMC on Monday. (RGL with PIA)