BEFORE I got vaccinated in the Bakuna by the Sea vaccination program of the Davao Tourism Association (Data) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on July 01, 2021, I had three other attempts to be vaccinated. I registered via the barangay vaccination form given to us by our barangay kagawad neighbor. I also pre-registered via SafeDavao QR app and lastly a private sector initiated a vaccination program in Damosa. I also pre-registered there.
All three of them didn’t have an update before Bakuna by the Sea invited media practitioners to also participate in the program. With the people I know getting positive of Covid-19 while others died, I knew I had to get the vaccine as soon as possible. Not to mention Davao City has an ongoing surge of cases and while it is safer to stay at home, I live independently and have no choice but to go out for errands and other essential runs.
Bakuna by the Sea was initially intended for tourism workers such as those working in hotels, restaurants, wellness spas, and travel and tours among others. But they were really kind to extend the program to the allied sectors including the media.
We were informed that we will be inoculated with the Sinovac vaccine. The organizers also sent briefers and answered FAQs about Sinovac and vaccination in general. When I got the vaccine, like all the other vaccines, I was informed that I should expect side effects such as numbness in the area vaccinated, fever, chills, or joint pains.
While resting and waiting for possible side effects to come, I couldn’t help but think of how vaccination should be normalized. Covid-19 vaccines, in particular, are given to all qualified and willing Filipinos for free. Truth to be told, vaccines are very expensive. Two years ago, I got an HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. It’s not available for free in barangay health centers except for the elementary school HPV vaccine drives for pre-pandemic. Because I really wanted to get vaccinated, I saved up for the three doses, with each dose costing P3,500. Each dose has a gap of two weeks or so between them. Covid-19 vaccines are free and though they have expected side effects, most of them are tolerable and don’t last more than a day. Vaccines are expensive in nature and if you could get them now for free, you should -- to protect you, your family, and the people you work with.
As for me, the night after I got vaccinated, I felt sleepy earlier than usual but I did not feel any of the side effects that they told me I might feel. I did not have fever, joint pains, or chills. Nothing. If anything, I actually felt more energized. But I did get a bruised spot on where I was vaccinated but it was tolerable.
Now, I’m just waiting for my second dose 28 days after I got my first one. I got my fingers crossed hoping I wouldn’t experience any adverse side effects the same way after my first dose.