In Camarines Sur: 120 more frontline healthcare workers inoculated with Sinovac

By Annalyn Gallego

“SINCE I am a healthcare provider, I am always exposed to different types of patients. Now that I received my first dose of vaccine, this will be my protection, not just for myself, but also for my family. The vaccine will help me protect myself from the people I am engaging with,” shared Teodora Krizzia Padilla, a doctor from Bato Municipal Hospital.

Days following the arrival of 870 vials of Sinovac vaccines in the province on April 8, 2021, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur held its inoculation of 120 more frontline healthcare workers from its different hospitals, rural health units (RHU) and other agencies on April 12-13, 2021 at the Evacuation Center, Capitol Complex.

The newly-vaccinated frontliners are from RHU San Fernando, RHU Minalabac, RHU Del Gallego, Caramoan Municipal Hospital, Bato Municipal Hospital, Buhi Community Hospital, Garchitorena Medicare Hospital, Presentacion Infirmary, Camarines Sur Provincial Medical Center, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bula Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Provincial Health Office, and Environment, Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office.

“Getting vaccinated is very important especially now that the COVID-19 cases and its other variants keep on rising. We never know what kind of virus could infect us, so better have the vaccine than none,” Padilla stressed.

She also shared that they are being extra careful in dealing with their patients. Proper measures such as the mandatory wearing of face mask and face shield and the wearing of full PPE were among their normal work routine.

Mae Maylen Ortua, a midwife from RHU San Fernando and another recipient of Sinovac vaccine, narrated, “I had mixed emotions about it when I knew about the actual COVID-19 vaccination. Even though I am in the health sector, I still couldn’t help myself but feel anxious on the idea of getting vaccinated and its effects, maybe because of the news I read on social media. But, thinking of its benefits and availability, I realized that it’s better to receive the vaccine now.”

She added, “Because I experienced it on hand, maybe I could consider myself as a role model to other people and encourage them to get vaccinated especially those in the barangay level when vaccines become available to them. Big thanks to the provincial DOH and to the provincial government for their coordination to make this vaccination possible. More importantly, I am grateful because of their prioritization to first vaccinate the frontline healthcare workers like us.”

The provincial government is continuously visiting every municipality to ensure that they perform the simulation exercise activity to test and prepare them prior to the actual COVID-19 inoculation. Those that successfully passed the SIMEX will be given its allocated vaccines. Out of 36 municipalities, 23 have already finished and passed the SIMEX, including Iriga, Lagonoy, Libmanan, Lupi, Goa, San Jose, Sipocot, Siruma, San Fernando, Pamplona, Nabua, Ocampo, Tigaon, Magarao, Pasacao, Calabanga, Canaman, Ragay, Bombon, Sagñay, Pili, Minalabac, and Caramoan.