Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan joined the first day of the Covid-19 vaccination rollout at one of the Covid-19 referral hospitals in the country, Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Tala, Caloocan City.
With Covid-19 Vaccine Czar Sec. Vince Dizon, Department of Health Assistant Secretary. Elmer Punzalan, Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center Chief II Alfonso Famaran Jr., and Nursing Services Chief Samuel Sumilang, Mayor Oca witnessed the beginning of vaccination of health workers using the Sinovac vaccine.
Famaran and Nurse Sumilang were vaccinated first, followed by Dizon. They went through five stations: Registration, Screening, Counseling and Final Consent, Vaccination and Monitoring will come next after the actual vaccination.
They also want to get vaccinated to increase the public’s confidence in the vaccine. The Mayor, who is a senior citizen, is among those who are not recommended by the DOH and Food and Drug Administration for the Sinovac vaccine.
“Even if we want to, we must follow the guidelines of the national government. I hope that the next time the vaccine arrives, I will be able to get vaccinated to better encourage the people of Caloocan to get vaccinated as well,” said Oca.
In his message, Oca expressed his gratitude to the national government and to all the brave health workers who are ahead of the fight against Covid-19.
“We already have a defense. Let’s not waste this opportunity. We will get vaccinated as much as possible for our gradual rise from this pandemic,” said Oca.