By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson along with five mayors and provincial board members have received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccines yesterday morning at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
Lacson was inoculated with the first dose of CoronaVac vaccine by Chinese pharmaceutical Sinovac Biotech. Prior to his vaccination the governor said he would choose the Sinovac vaccine instead of the AstraZeneca vaccine as it is unclear if there would be an available second dose of the AstraZeneca jab.
Aside from Lacson, board members Pal Guanzon, Samson Mirhan, Victor Javellana, Araceli Somoso, and Manuel Frederick Ko also received their first doses of the Sinovac vaccines.
The board members were supposed to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, however, Lacson pointed out that Sinovac was the only available jab at the hospital during the event.
They were then followed by Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo, Manapla Mayor Manolet Escalante, Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco, La Castellana Mayor Rhumylla Nicor-Mangilimutan, and Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara.
Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao was also present in the event, however, his vaccination was rescheduled after pre-vaccination check up showed that he has high blood pressure.
For the officials of the Negros Occidental provincial government, provincial veterinarian Renante Decena also received his first COVID-19 jab, along with four other senior citizens.
The vaccination was also overseen by Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer.
“It is one jab to heal humanity,” Lacson commented after receiving the vaccine and being placed on observation for 40 minutes.
Lacson said he felt well and he did not get any side effects after receiving the jab.
“No one was allowed a shortcut, we underwent interviews, our blood pressures were taken,” he said.
He was also told by the medical staff who administered the vaccine that he may feel sleepy after a while, but noted that it is normal and should not be a cause for alarm.
The governor also advised those who have already been vaccinated not to be complacent as they can still be susceptible to the virus and should exercise caution./DGB, WDJ