Philippine General Hospital Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi received the first shot of Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccines. The symbolic vaccination took place just a few hours after the 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines arrived last Sunday.
Legaspi received the CoronaVac jab from PGH nurse Sherlock Santos. Legaspi then presented a certificate showing that he had received the vaccine.
“Inaral ko po ito. I-set aside muna natin ang pulitika pagdating sa bakuna. Baka ito na rin po ang irekomenda ko sa pamilya ko,” he said.
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Legaspi said that the issues on Sinovac vaccine were already resolved and clarified that health workers have the choice of their preferred vaccines.
Second to be vaccinated was Dr. Edsel Salvana, who is part of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group and also a PGH doctor.
Next in line was Food and Drug Administration Director-General Eric Domingo. The recipients of the vaccines were monitored after 30 minutes for possible side effects.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos and vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr is also scheduled to be vaccinated.
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The government’s vaccination program kicked off on Monday in six different hospitals. The ceremonies were held in PGH, V. Luna Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Tala Hospital and PNP General Hospital.
“There is no such best vaccine dahil ang pinaka-best vaccine ay yung effective at efficient na dumarating ng mas maaga,” Galvez said in a speech during the ceremonial vaccination event.
A total of 1,200 doses was sent to PGH on Monday. (TDT)
