DABAWENYOS have mixed feelings toward Covid-19 vaccines, with some hoping it is effective but at the same time worrying that Covid-19 will still be around despite the availability of vaccines.
According to the University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion’s (UM-IPO) online survey, which was conducted from May 18 to 27, 2021, respondents were asked about their perceived effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing them from contracting the disease.
The survey revealed that 24.6 percent of Dabawenyos are still doubtful about the effectiveness of the vaccine, while 31.3 percent are fully confident that the vaccine works. In addition, 44 percent are hopeful that the vaccine would work.
In terms of the respondent's perception of Covid-19 vaccine's effectiveness in stopping the pandemic, 33.5 percent of the respondents conveyed that they are still very worried that the pandemic would still continue despite the ongoing vaccine rollout.
When asked about whether they trust the Covid-19 vaccines available, results show that Pfizer (66 percent) and Sinovac (63 percent) are the most trusted vaccines by Davaoeños.
These were followed by the following vaccine and their trust ratings: AstraZeneca (59 percent), Moderna (58 percent), Covax (42 percent), Gamaleya/Sputnik V (40 percent), and Novavax (35 percent).
When asked which vaccines they would prefer to be inoculated to, Pfizer (30.9 percent) and Sinovac (22.2 percent) are the top choices, while 17.7 percent of the respondents do not mind what vaccines to be used.
Most of the respondents also think that it would still take a while before they can be vaccinated. They added that they believe that the probable waiting time for them to acquire the vaccine is five months.
UM-IPO said the survey targeted Dabawenyos from the three districts of the city to know their attitude and behavior on vaccination, their perception of how vaccinations are rolled out, and their preferred vaccine brands.
The survey was done online via Facebook to 1,200 city residents at least 18 years old as physical contact was not allowed during the time of conduct of the survey.
City Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser told SunStar Davao in a phone interview that they are continuously intensifying its education campaign on the benefits of getting the vaccine.
But Schlosser said that disinformation on social media remains to be one of the hindrances in convincing some people to get the vaccine.
The UM-IPO survey showed that around four out of 10 respondents said that what they read on the news and social media will affect their decision to get a vaccine or not. Nearly four out of 10 also said what they see or read about vaccines will not affect their decision to get one or not.
“It is very important that everyone submit themselves for vaccination because this has benefits not only for individuals but also for the entire community,” the spokesperson said.
Based on the reports on the ground, Schlosser said people have been very “receptive” to the city’s vaccination program.
“There have been people asking if we are going to open more vaccination sites,” Schlosser said.
She said the city is currently preparing to have a mega vaccine site that can vaccinate around 1,000 individuals per day.
Schlosser admitted that due to the limited available supply, only four vaccination sites are currently running.
Although she said the city is expecting more vaccine arrivals in the coming weeks.
“Rest assured that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated,” Schlosser said.
Meanwhile, in a previous virtual presser, Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao) Director Annabelle Yumang urged the public to be vaccinated for additional protection, but minimum health protocols must be continuously observed.
"Kung muabot na ang turno sa atong tagsa-tagsang komunidad, magpabakuna na ta (If your turn for the vaccination is now within respective communities, get yourself vaccinated)," Yumang said in a virtual presser.
The DOH official also told the public to avail themselves of the vaccines that are being rolled out.
"Dili na ta maghulat sa brand nga atong gusto, apan kung unsay available nga vaccine nga naa sa atong atubangan karon, mao na ato ibakuna sa karon (Let us not wait for our preferred brand. All the vaccines available will be the ones we will make use of)," Yumang said.
The city recently officially opened vaccination hubs for A3 priority list or those with comorbidities on Monday, May 31.
Qualified under the A3 priority group are those aged 18 to 59 years old with existing health conditions such as chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, malignancy, diabetes, obesity, chronic liver disease, neurologic disease, and immunodeficiency state, among others.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-Davao) Director Alex Roldan also reminded the public not to be choosy on the vaccines to be inoculated.
This after DILG directed local government units (LGUs) on May 20, not to announce the brand of vaccine to be used for inoculation to prevent the mass gatherings and long lines that occurred in various areas in the country when Pfizer doses were deployed.
Roldan noted some people are biased on vaccines that are made by Western countries.
He said all vaccines went through rigorous testing and monitoring before it was made open to the public.
"Wala man siguroy bakuna nga atong buhian nga makapatay or makadaot sa tao (I don’t think that the government will allow the rollout of vaccines to the public that can kill or cause major adverse effects to the people)," Roldan said.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio recently said the city is targeting to achieve 10,000 persons per day in order to achieve the targeted 1.2 million herd immunity before the end of this year.
The mayor, however, said this will only be achievable if there will be ample and stable supply of vaccines in the city.
At present, Davao City has been allocated by the National Government with three vaccine brands: Sinovac, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer.