ILOILO City – Ilonggo healthcare workers and frontliners abroad already vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are urging Ilonggos back home to make them as examples.
They shared testimonies through the social media pages of Mayor Jerry Treñas and the Iloilo City Government.
Hannah Kriztia Clement Candoleta, an Ilongga nurse based in Ireland, commended the city government’s initiative on COVID-19 vaccination.
So she found it “surprising why most Ilonggos are hesitant to get vaccinated when in fact vaccination helps.”
“I had COVID in November 2020. On Feb. 25 this year, I received the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine. The side effects I felt were headache, dizziness and fatigue. Very minor compared nung na-COVID ako,” she shared.
“I encourage Ilonggos not to be afraid of this vaccine. It won’t be approved for human use if it’s not proven to be safe. So please magpa-vaccine kayo. People in Europe and America naga-freak out gani na wala pa sila nakakuha vaccine pero dira sa Iloilo na gina-offer sa inyo ga-refuse pa ya kamo,” she stressed.
Benj Cordero was another Ilonggo frontliner based in the United Kingdom. He made a vlog on his vaccination experience.
“I got my first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Jan. 25. Please don’t hesitate to take it if you are being offered,” he said.
Cordero shared he was excited and nervous at the same time when he got his first dose of the vaccine.
“I just want to get back to normal and do everything like we usually do before this crazy time,” Cordero added.
Meanwhile, Mary Precy got her two doses of Sinopharm vaccine in the United Arab Emirates. She said she got not major adverse effects, only a slight pain in the injected area.
“In the beginning nagaduha-duha man ako kay may severe allergy ako sa isa ka bulong but then gin-present sa akon nga minor lang man ang side effects. Tungod sa vaccination, I felt at peace and safe,” she shared.
Mellisa Rose Aportadera, meantime, got vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine in Singapore.
“Not much of arm soreness on the injection site either. Vaccines can protect us. I had mine, so please better have yours, too,” she said.
For his part, Baltazar Losaria Martin, a physical therapist in the UK, was injected with a Pfizer vaccine on Jan. 5.
“So far so good. This is a big help for us health workers as we are working as frontliners. We can save more lives if we are more protected,” he said.
The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas sought testimonials from overseas Ilonggo healthcare workers to encourage the public of getting anti-COVID-19 shots.
Dr. Mary Jane Roches Juanico, head of the DOH-Western Visayas infectious disease section, said they coordinated with groups that have already availed themselves of the COVID-19 vaccine.
She said these healthcare workers can be potential influencers as their experiences can be backed by scientific evidence./PN
