“It is one jab to heal humanity, that’s what it means to me,” Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said after he received his first Sinovac jab.
Lacson, five provincial board members, five mayors and one department head were vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City Friday, April 30.
The vaccination of Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao was deferred because his blood pressure was very high, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Negros Occidental provincial health officer, said.
Tumimbang said the high blood pressure of Estrao had to be addressed before he could be released from the hospital.
He said other Negros Occidental mayors are opting to be vaccinated in their localities, some have already been vaccinated, while there are those waiting to be cleared for vaccination by their doctors.
The mayors who were vaccinated along with the governor were Manuel Escalante of Manapla, Pedro Zayco – Kabankalan City, John Rey Tabujara – Cauayan, Nicholas Yulo – Bago City and Rhumyla Mangilimutan – La Castellana.
Also vaccinated were provincial board members Sixto Guanzon Jr., Victor Javellana, Manuel Frederick Ko, Samson Mirhan, and Araceli Somosa, and Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena.
Lacson said he had no side effects, he felt very normal, everything went well.
They were vaccinated with Sinovac, which is the available vaccine, he said.
“What is available is the best vaccine,” he said.
However, he stressed that even if they have been vaccinated they still have to observe health protocols as they are still susceptible to the virus.
Escalante, 64, said the vaccination did not hurt; he even had to ask the one who administered it if he had really been injected.
The vaccination of the mayors who serve at the frontlines will enable them to do their work with more confidence, Escalante said.
Dr. Mary Ann Maestral, TLJPJ officer-in-charge, said the governor instructed them not to allow anyone to cut corners in the vaccination process.
The governor lined up and followed the process, and the observation time after their vaccination was extended from 40 minutes to an hour since they were all senior citizens, she added.*