KIBUNGAN, Benguet – Bracing for the mass vaccination against Covid-19, healthcare frontline workers in the municipality who already got their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine shared their testimonies to convince others to submit themselves for inoculation when vaccines are made available to the rest of the population.
Municipal Health Office Head Hydre Nga-ew said of the eligible 348 health care workers, he estimated only about 50 percent of them is convinced to be vaccinated.
Nga-ew, who took the first shot of the Sinovac vaccine along with four health care workers, said he had himself vaccinated to protect his patients and family.
He encouraged those who are undecided in getting the vaccine to be united in getting vaccinated to achieve herd immunity against the virus.
Municipal Health Office Public Health Associate Sunshine G. Molitas chose to be vaccinated also to protect herself, her family, loved ones and friends. “That is why when the vaccines are available, we encourage you all to have yourselves vaccinated,” she said.
MHO Nurse Adrian Calasan said aside from protecting his family and friends, he also saw the need of being vaccinated to keep the community protected. Sharing his experience of having not felt any severe effect, he encouraged the members of the community to have themselves vaccinated.
Lanie Pal-oten, MHO pharmacist, stressed the importance of being vaccinated, “so that my family will be protected including my friends and the community.”
Getting vaccinated will also allay fears among patients going to the clinic.
“At least they know that we are Covid-free and they will not be intimidated and can come for consultation,” Pal-oten said. – Susan C. Aro
