The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Sinovac Biotech has started in private hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. recently disclosed that some private hospitals requested for CoronaVac doses following the successful rollout of the vaccine in public medical institutions. A total of 5,000 doses of CoronaVac from the donation of the Chinese government were allocated to St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC).
SLMC President and CEO Dr. Art Dela Peῆa initiated the vaccination with SLMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Benjamin Campomanes at the hospital’s branch in Bonifacio Global City.
“Ang iba humihingi Pfizer, AstraZeneca, kung ano-ano (Others are requesting for Pfizer, AstraZeneca, whatever). Sa amin (For us), the best vaccine is the available vaccine,” Dela Peῆa pointed out.
“At saka hindi ‘yung vaccine, ‘yung pagtuturok ng vaccine ang mas importante (It’s not the vaccine, it’s the vaccination that is more important),” Dela Peῆa added.
Galvez, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles attended the ceremonial vaccination at the SLMC in Quezon City where the former explained his vaccination along with other officials despite the prioritization of healthcare workers.
“I’m under orders from the president na magpabakuna para makita ng mga tao na, oh dinala mo dito ‘yung Sinovac tapos hindi ka magpabakuna. So ‘yun ang inano niya, magpabakuna ka muna (I’m under the orders of the president to get vaccinated to show the public since I brought it here. It was his [advice] that I get inoculated first),” Galvez revealed.
Meanwhile, 4,000 doses of CoronaVac were allocated to The Medical City in Pasig City to cover 2,000 medical workers and staff. Three medical directors of the hospital led the ceremonial vaccination witnessed by Sec. Duque, Mayor Vico Sotto, and DILG Undersecretary RJ Echiverri. The recipients said they grabbed the chance of getting inoculated with the vaccine to prevent the increased risk of getting severe COVID-19 infection.
“The usual side effects are already known — pain, soreness of the arm. But as far as safety is concerned, we can say the Chinese brand is safe,” The Medical City President and CEO Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos confirmed.
Among the private hospitals that will receive the vaccine of Sinovac is Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan where vaccination is set to begin on Friday. – Report from Patrick de Jesus
