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Jabs recipients encourage hesitant population to trust gov’t

By Lade Jean Kabagani

May 29, 2021, 8:19 pm

<p><strong>VACCINATED. </strong>Taguig residents avail of Covid-19 vaccines at the Lakeshore hub on May 5, 2021. The city government targets to fully vaccinate 650,000 residents by December 2021. <em>(PNA file photo by Lade Kabagani)</em></p>

VACCINATED. Taguig residents avail of Covid-19 vaccines at the Lakeshore hub on May 5, 2021. The city government targets to fully vaccinate 650,000 residents by December 2021. (PNA file photo by Lade Kabagani)

MANILA – Vaccine recipients are increasing by the day and urging others to get inoculated as well against Covid-19.

Apart from qualifying under one of the priority groups, 34-year-old Taguig resident Sol Noblezada said she got vaccinated to help her community.

"Dahil vaccinated na po kami, meron na kaming dagdag na panlaban sa katawan para maipagpatuloy namin ang aming serbisyo habang may presensya pa rin ng virus (Since we are already vaccinated, we now have additional protection to continue providing services even with the virus still around)," Noblezada, a city government staff, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a recent interview.

Still, being vaccinated doesn’t mean disregarding health protocols.

"Hindi porket nabakunahan na tayo, eh pwede nang lumabas. Patuloy pa rin po tayong sumunod sa social distancing protocols, regular handwashing at pagsuot ng face mask at face shield (It doesn't mean that because we got vaccinated, we are now allowed to go out. Let's continue to follow social distancing protocols, regular hand washing as well as wearing of face mask and face shield in public places)," she added.

Noblezada encouraged other residents to get vaccinated, their contribution to the government's goal to halt the transmission of the virus.

"I am calling on the public not to be scared of getting vaccinated. If you have the chance to get vaccine shots, grab it for your protection and for the safety of your family," she said in Filipino.

Sol Noblezada, 34, Taguig local government staff (PNA photo by Lade Kabagani)

Rosalina Albiano, 59, a street sweeper said getting inoculated against Covid-19 makes her feel secured while doing her job.

Since the onslaught of the pandemic, she fears for her life each time she is out.

"Nakakatuwa po na may proteksyon na po ako at makakapagtrabaho na ako ulit ng walang pangamba (I'm glad that I got my protection and I would be able to work again without fear)," she said, thanking the government for the free jabs.

"'Yung mga kasamahan kong mga street sweeper na natatakot magpa-vaccine, magpabakuna na po kayo para may proteksyon na po kayo at 'yung pamilya niyo laban sa Covid-19 (To my fellow street sweepers who are still hesitant to get vaccinated, just get the jabs so you and your family can be protected against Covid-19)," she added.

Rosalina Albiano, 59, street sweeper in Taguig City (PNA photo by Lade Kabagani)

No more fatalities

Rosita Ilangan, 57, is hopeful more will get vaccinated to stop Covid-related deaths.

"'Yung mga kaedad ko, magpa-injection na kayo. Para rin naman sa atin ito. Hindi naman tayo bibigyan ng gobyerno na ikakasama ng ating mga katawan (I urge you to get vaccinated. This is for our protection. The government will not give us anything that would harm us)," she said.

Rosita Ilangan, 57, Taguig resident (PNA photo by Lade Kabagani)

 Airene Vertuz, 51, did not feel any side effects after being vaccinated and has nothing but gratitude for the national vaccination program.

Data from the Department of Health as of May 25, 2021 showed 1,029,061 Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Within the same period, 4,495,375 doses have been administered since rollout started in March. (PNA)

Airene Vertuz, 51, Taguig resident (PNA photo by Lade Kabagani)

 

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