ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas and other city officials are willing to get publicly injected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.
“I will submit [myself] to COVID-19 vaccination to show there is nothing to worry about,” said Treñas.
The vaccines’ expected rollout is July this year.
Results of a recent immunization screening showed majority of Ilonggos were apprehensive of COVID-19 vaccines due to potential side effects.
Of the 9,731 individuals asked to fill out vaccination consent forms, 6,863 or 71 percent were hesitant even if the vaccines were free.
In early January, the city government entered into a tripartite agreement with British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca and the national government for the procurement of 600,000 vials of AZD1222 Vaccine.
Treñas told Panay News his family is also getting the anti-coronavirus shots.
CITY COUNCILORS, TOO
Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo, the oldest member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, said he would submit himself to COVID-19 vaccination because he wanted to become a model to his fellow senior citizens.
“Masiling sila nakulbaan sila. So kon nagapabinturar ako para sa akon kaayuhan, I think other senior citizens should follow me… should follow the example I am setting,” said Peñaredondo.
The 71-year-old councilor admitted that like others, he also had apprehensions but noted that it is a necessity now for “there is no other substitute for our lives.”
“Let’s not be afraid of this vaccination against COVID-19 because para man ini sa aton,” he said.
Councilor Candice Magdalane Tupas, a medical doctor by profession, said very early on that she would get vaccinated.
As a mother of three, including a one-year-old she exclusively breastfeeds, Tupas said the COVID-19 vaccine will not only protect her but also her family.
Councilor Alan Zaldivar, who chairs the city council’s committee on health, announced he is also willing to be inoculated publicly.
“I trust the vaccine and its efficacy,” Zaldivar said. “Besides, I want to be protected, and my family.”
Other city legislators who will also step forward for vaccination include Rudolph Ganzon, Carlos Javellana and Ely Estante.
For his part, Ganzon said he was “enlightened with everything about the vaccine” during a briefing conducted by the City Health Office (CHO) last week.
“Bilang vice chairman sang committee on health, gusto ko gid. Kaya ko man tani nga indi ko magpa-vaccinate because I find myself fit and healthy. However, nakita ko nga there is nothing wrong kung magpa-vaccinate” Ganzon said.
“Kampante ako nga tanan ini na studyohan,” he added.
Estante, meantime, inquired: “Ngaa mahadlok ka?”
He asserted that the government won’t endorse the coronavirus vaccine in the first place if it would just bring hazard to the community.
“Mintras san-o, amo ka na lang ni, gapanagu? People are the ones [who sow fear],” Estante told Panay News.
OTHER FRONTLINERS
Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, CHO COVID-19 focal person, said he and other medical frontliners would be the first in the vaccination queue.
The vaccine will prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection as well as other severe illnesses due to the deadly virus.
“Developing immunity through vaccination means a reduced risk of developing the illness. Getting vaccinated will also protect people around you. We are targeting a high percentage of people for vaccination to achieve herd immunity,” he stressed.
Iloilo City COVID Team spokesperson Jeck Conlu will also join the roster.
“Ang vaccine nga gin purchase ka city may approval ka mga doctors and specialists naton. I trust the science behind the vaccine,” Conlu said.
Personnel of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office are also getting the anti-coronavirus jabs./PN
