DR. Reina Tan is one of the first Filipinos who has had the vaccine as she works in healthcare abroad. Dr. Tan is based in New York University and is a physician -- more specifically a pediatric cardiologist who is now based in the Big Apple. She grew up in Manila, went to a private all girls Catholic school in Greenhills, pursued her medicine degree and now lives in New York.
The United States is leading the world together with Israel in the inoculation of millions of its citizens. The USA is at an advantage as they manufacture their own vaccine. America's goal is to reach herd immunity by Summer of 2021, which is July-August of this year. They are currently doing two million vaccinations daily according to CNN.
Dr. Reina received the Pfizer vaccine with two doses. For the first dose, some arm soreness that resolved in a day was the only side effect for her. After the second dose, the arm soreness was a little worse followed by myalgia and chills on and off for the next 36 hours. Myalgia is defined as muscle pain, including a dull aching sensation in the muscle. Her symptoms were relieved by rest and ibuprofen.
According to Dr. Reina, these side effects have been well described to them before receiving the shots and are signs that the immune system is reacting to the vaccine working.
She adds, "Personally, I would rather have these side effects than get Covid or spread the virus to my friends and family."
After the 36 hours of chills and muscle pain, she felt completely back to normal. As of this day, more than a month after she has gotten her two doses of Covid Vaccine Pfizer, she has not felt any other symptoms or side effects of the vaccine shot.
Even after getting the vaccine, she still has to continue the precautions being taken such as handwashing, use of hand sanitizer, and wearing a mask.
There are no other effects and one can do your usual activities and eat your regular diet after the inoculation.
News said that the Philippine government was able to secure Moderna doses in the range of 13 million, plus there is a private company in the Philippines that has secured an additional seven million doses as well. Let us hope that the government will use the next days wisely as the South African strain, a said strain that is more contagious is having a field day in the Philippines.
Please follow health protocols and the curfew set to curb the spread of this virus.
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