THE use of gloves and personal protective equipment (PPEs) by vaccinators during the Covid-19 vaccination procedure is impractical and costly, Acting City Health Officer Dr. Lorraine Nery said on Tuesday, March 9.
This, after several people who witnessed the vaccination procedure through photos and videos expressed concern after seeing the vaccinators giving the first dose of the Sinovac vaccines to the healthcare workers without using PPEs or gloves.
According to Nery, there was no advice from the Department of Health (DOH) that wearing of gloves or PPEs during the vaccination process is necessary.
"Kung mag gloves ka, every person nga i-vaccinate nimo, mag change ka og gloves. So it's not so practical kay dili man pwede nga naka gloves lagi ka pero ang imong gi-vaccinate mao ra man gihapon," Nery said.
"Better nga wala ka nag gloves kay mapugos man ka mag alcohol gyud every after each patient or individual kay kung naka gloves ka usually, dili naman ka mag alcohol kay salig lagi ka," she added.
Nery said the vaccinators, if they use gloves or PPEs, will be the only ones protected, while the vaccinees may possibly be contaminated.
"Better gyud nga mag alcohol every after procedure," Nery said, adding that it is also important to wear face mask and face shield.
City epidemiologist Dr. Joselito Retuya, for his part, agreed with Nery, saying that apart from being impractical, wearing of gloves or PPEs during the vaccination procedure is not economically feasible.
"Sakto si Dr. Lorraine nga its much, much practical nga mag disinfect lang ka sa area nga imohang i-vaccinate. Kinahanglan magamit gyud sa imohang sterilizer, mag sterilize ka. First i-disinfect nimo ang area nga imong i-injectionan and that can be observed sa atong rollout," Retuya said.