ILOILO City – Fifty-five frontline health workers and senior citizens in Hamtic, Antique received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The frontline workers included members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response team (BHERT), contact tracers, and emergency responders.
Municipal Health Office (MHO) personnel administered the vaccines last April 24.
Mayor Julie Pacificador explained that the condition and vital signs of the 55 Hamtikanons were checked first before they were vaccinated.
Pacificador shared in a facebook post, “Ginakalipay gid namon nga rako sa aton mga pumuluyo ang nag-agto kag nagpartisipar kaina sa assessment kag vaccination kontra COVID-19. We have a total of 55 Hamtikanons (senior citizens, BHERTs or Barangay Health Emergency Response Team, contact tracers, and Emergency Responders) that successfully got their 1st dose earlier.”
Mayor Julie Pacificado. JUNJUN PACIFICADOR/FB 
JUNJUN PACIFICADOR/FB
The mayor has also called for more senior citizens to avail of the vaccine.
“Kung sino pa ang gusto sa aton mga senior citizens nga magpa-vaccinate para kontra Covid 19, palihog makipag-angot dayon sa aton Rural Health Unit ukon sa aton BHERTs. Indi kamo magkabalaka kay may proper assessment kag monitoring para sa tanan nga magpa-vaccinate para sa inyo kaaraydan kag para maluwas sa makakamatay nga Covid 19,” said Pacificador.
Pacificador himself received the first dose of the vaccine on Tuesday, April 27.
He is hoping that his vaccination will encourage senior citizens’ trust in the vaccine.
“Kabay pa nga dya maga-encourage sa aton mga senior citizens kag sa tanan kaninyo nga magsarig sa aton bakuna, indi kamo magkahadlok kay dya makabulig kanaton para sa pagbalik sa mayad nga pagpangabuhi kag paguswag kang aton banwa.”
According to the mayor, getting vaccinated shows that a person cares not only for one’s self but also for their family and other community members./PN
