Why Ilonggos Should Watch ‘The Vax'

‘The Vax: “Kamo lang anay una,” seems to be the unified response of Ilonggos when asked if they would be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccine is expected to arrive later this year, but would there be any willing recipient? According to Jeck Conlu, spokesperson of the Iloilo COVID team, 71% of 9,731 respondents expressed they do not want to get vaccinated.

To date, the Iloilo City Government is exploring ways to persuade people that the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine is safe and beneficial. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas also expressed that he is willing to get vaccinated to ease the safety concerns of the majority.

As part of the local government’s information drive, Ilonggos are encouraged to watch ‘The Vax’, a collection of videos providing substantial information regarding vaccination, its types, safety, side effects, etc. Ilonggos should watch ‘The Vax’ to acquaint themselves with the vaccine. Here are the videos:

How do vaccines prevent disease?
What are the different types of vaccines?
What are the possible effects of vaccination?
Why do we need to get vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine?
Why gets the vaccine first?
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?
What are the complications when given COVID-19 vaccine?

Ilonggos encouraged to get vaccinated

The city government is urging the public to get vaccinated to boost their defenses against COVID-19. According to Treñas, the vaccine will pave way for people to return to normal life and bring back economic activities. He also stressed that the vaccine will be free. Moreover, to strengthen efforts, Treñas asked for the support of radio stations, media, and influencers for a massive information and education campaign.

The locality targets 70% of the population for the community to achieve herd immunity.

Aside from AstraZeneca, City Hall is also eyeing additional supplies from US-made Pfizer, Novavax and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine arm Janssen. These will cover those non-residents working in the metropolis.

“We are readying vaccines that are free, safe and effective. The only way we get protected is through vaccines and stop the spread of virus through vaccination. We are meeting every sector to address every concern. It’s been a year that we are struggling and fighting against the virus. Unless we get our acts together for a seamless vaccination process, then we will be moving forward toward healing and recovery,” – excerpts from the social media post by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

Doctors assure COVID-19 vaccine is safe

According to the former President of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID), Dr. Ludovico Jurao, the vaccines have undergone clinical trials. Dr. Jurao adds that it is normal to have pain at the injection site, fever, and body pain after vaccination. He adds that the vaccine will boost defenses against the virus.

“Influenza was a pandemic and so many people died. The vaccination process went into effect and now we are just living with influenza. Granting nga may adverse reaction gid man, as far as the vaccine at the moment is concern, ang claim naton is they prevent severe diseases,”states Dr. Ludovico Jurao. Statement taken from an article entitled‘‘Trust Science’; Experts dispel myths, allay vaccine fears’ published in Panay News.

“We should trust medical experts who developed the vaccines. They devoted many years studying different infectious diseases. “We are bombarded with so many information. Let’s take this as a challenge to filter the information nga mabasa naton,” states Dr. Yvette Silubrico, Vice President of PSMID Western Visayas Chapter.