Over 500 frontliners and medical health workers of CamSur receive Astrazeneca vaccine

By Annalyn Gallego

“For me, the vaccination was painless. I did not feel anything after I got vaccinated but I will still monitor in the coming days. I am grateful because the vaccine is finally here, the solution is here. What we only need is the cooperation of everybody, so we can help in the eradication of the COVID-19. Just trust on the power of the vaccine and don’t hesitate when opportunity comes for you to get inoculated. We studied Medicine so we know how helpful the vaccine is,” shared Doctor Kenosis Romblon of Buhi District Hospital.

Doctor Romblon was one of the frontliners and healthcare workers who received the first dose of Astrazeneca vaccine on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 during the COVID-19 Vaccination spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur at the Evacuation Center, Capitol Complex.

Four hundred doses of Astrazeneca vaccine were allocated to the provincial government. Following the vaccine prioritization, the personnel of the provincially-managed hospitals including Tinambac, Siruma, Ocampo, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, and Buhi were the first to receive the vaccine. Next in line were the frontliners of the Provincial Health Office, Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office, Camarines Sur Provincial Medical Center, and other agencies such as Bureau of Fire Protection and Department of Education.

“Being in the frontline service, we are the ones who are highly at risk of acquiring COVID-19. That’s why it was very rewarding for me to get vaccinated. I am very grateful to the DOH and to the provincial government for this opportunity to avail the mass vaccination,” shared FO2 Richard M. Abardo, Chief Emergency Medical Service of Bureau of Fire Protection Minalabac.

VACCINATION ROLLOUT. The province of Camarines Sur under Gov. Migz Villafuerte joined the synchronized roll out of vaccination on COVID-19 to the frontliners and medical workers in the province starting March 23, 2021 wherein 400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine were allocated to the personnel of provincially-managed hospitals in Camarines Sur, frontliners of Provincial Health Office, EDMERO, Camarines Sur Provincial Medical Center, and other agencies such as Bureau of Fire Protection and Department of Education. jmts/rbmjr/mmec04072021 with photos from fb_ProvinceofCamSur

“I feel quite drowsy now, but I’m still okay. I have a healthy body because I run every day, so I guess it would be easy for me to manage the effects of the vaccine,” he added.

The COVID-19 Vaccination has five stations including counselling, registration, screening, vaccination, and post-vaccination. Among the stations, the screening area was the most critical part because this is where the vaccinees are screened for any contraindications to the vaccine. Six doctors were present at the screening area. Moreover, doctors and nurses were also on standby at the Advance Medical Post to provide medical attention to those who showed adverse effects to the vaccine.

Joflorenn Krestel Regalado, PHO Immunization Coordinator, shared, “The flow of the vaccination was smooth starting from the first step up to the last, and the facility proved to be convenient also. It was easy now because of the simulation exercise that we did prior to this actual vaccination. The simex was very helpful especially in the preparation process. The turnout of the activity was good!”

“The vaccination was important because at least we could lessen the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Of course, this would not be possible if not through the Department of Health who gave us enough doses of the vaccines. Also, to Governor Migz Villafuerte who has been supportive in all of the programs and activities related to COVID-19 vaccination,” she added.

Prior to the COVID-19 Vaccination held at Capitol Complex, a total of 191 doses of Astrazeneca vaccine were also inoculated to the healthcare workers of Libmanan District Hospital, Ragay District Hospital, and Sipocot District Hospital. Days after its successful simulation exercise activity to become a COVID-19 Vaccination Center, the Libmanan District Hospital conducted its actual vaccination on March 22-23, 2021.