Vaccination resistance down in Baguio; 13,875 inoculated

 By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Resistance to vaccination against Covid-19 has gone down in this summer capital as a total of 13,875 priority groups, health workers and vulnerables were inoculated recently in vaccination centers in the city.  

On April 21, priority group (A1) health care workers not vaccinated from the first tranche got their first dose, while some health care workers got their second dose at the University of Baguio gym.
    On the same date, Priority group (A2) senior citizens of Quirino Hill were scheduled for their first dose at the Saint Louis University (SLU) gym.   

Priority group (A2) senior citizens of Campo Filipino were vaccinated at SLI, near St. Vincent Church on April 21 and 22, while on April 22 and 23, senior citizens of Aurora Hill had their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine at the Saint Louis University (SLU) gym.  

During the management committee meeting on April 20, Dr. Rowena Galpo reported vaccination was met with acceptance and eagerness from concerned groups.

Inquiries for online and onsite registration in district health centers were going on non-stop, she said.

In an earlier media forum, risk communication management officer Cecile Agpawa said this may be attributed to behavioral change due to reliable and evidence-based instructions.            

A reconciled report from the Dept. of Health and City Health Services Office through Dr. Khaecy Colas said as of April 22 in Baguio City, 11,483 from the A1 group (Health Care Workers) were vaccinated for the first dose, 6,908 with Sinovac and 4,575 with Astra Zeneca.

In the A2 priority group or senior citizens, 982 were vaccinated, as with 1,410 A3 priority persons or adults with comorbidities. 

The total first dose administered is 13,875 while 4,108 were given as second dose.      

During actual vaccination, vaccinees were counselled to ease discomfort and anxiety which may manifest through increased blood pressure.

Vaccinees also stayed for an hour at the vicinity for observation of side or after effects of the vaccines. 

Individuals with co-morbidities were requested to bring legitimate medical certificates from physicians or authorized health personnel, to be registered and vaccinated.

Registered vaccinees were instructed to wait for messages from the health center in order to proceed to vaccination sites.

This, to avoid jostling and crowding at the site while being told to wear face masks, face shield and practice social distancing.  

Available vaccines are administered as they arrive, Agpawa said.

Priority for vaccination are the following: frontline health workers, sr. citizens 60 years old and above, those with comorbidities, frontliners and the working sector as deemed proper by the Inter-Agency Task Force and the indigent population. 

The rest follows: teachers and social workers, other government and essential workers, those at high risk other than senior citizens, overseas foreign workers, and the rest of the population.

Vaccine info drive pushed in Benguet

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The provincial government is intensifying its information campaign to convince more people to have themselves vaccinated reach herd immunity and control  spread of Covid-19 virus.
    Gov. Melchor Diclas, in a Network Briefing News interview of Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary JV Arcena, said vaccination acceptance among the populace is at 50 percent at most and there’s a need to convince more to reach the 90 percent target of the eligible population.  
    Diclas said level of acceptance has improved but still wanting, thus the need to intensify advocacy efforts on the advantages of Covid-19 vaccination.
    To date, almost 5,000 were vaccinated with around 1,000 already receiving their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
    Diclas said the provincial government will coordinate with medical organizations such as the Philippine Nurses Association to help in dissemination of good effect of vaccines.
    It will also strengthen efforts in reaching the various barangays for massive information dissemination.
Health workers who have been vaccinated will also serve as models as they share their experiences that they have not encountered adverse effects.
    This is one way to draw acceptance among the public. 
    As there is yet problem in the vaccination campaign program, the provincial government together with the national government are helping each other for the program to prosper. – PIA Benguet