PFIZER VAX. Mayor Marc Brian Lim (right) looks at the Pfizer coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines. The vaccines arrived in Dagupan City on June 21, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Dagupan City Public Information Office)
DAGUPAN CITY – The city government here has received 588 doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, as well as the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) with 582 doses.
City Health Office (CHO) vaccination team head Dr. Dalvie Casilang said barangay nurses were tasked to conduct a survey on who among those under the categories A1, A2, A3 and A5 want to be vaccinated with Pfizer.
"Pfizer and other brands of vaccines from the Covid-19 vaccination facility can only be used for those under the category mentioned. Donations cannot be used for the A4 category. The vaccines purchased by the government will be for A4," he said in an interview on Tuesday.
The CHO will release guidelines on how the eligible priority groups may avail of the specified vaccine.
The Pfizer vaccines totaling 195 vials with six doses per vial were stored in the ultra low-temperature freezer of the R1MC.
In a separate interview, Mayor Marc Brian Lim said the Pfizer vaccine has a little bit more side effects as compared to other brands.
“Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine has higher efficacy but more side effects. Dr. Casilang is studying it. They have to create some form of readiness with a private hospital. Just in case, there will be onsite effects that will require medical attention in a hospital, they will be attended to immediately," he said.
Lim urged residents to still avail themselves of the other brands despite their hesitations.
“Assuming that it is lower in efficacy but still prevents death so it is still important. I would still encourage people to get the Sinovac vaccine if available wherever they are,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senior Master Sgt. Crisante Mendones, one of the police officers in the city with comorbidity, said that with the vaccine, he gained more confidence in performing his duties.
“Nabawasan ang pangamba ko dahil lagi kaming umiikot sa iba’t ibang lugar at marami kaming nakakasalamuhang tao. (My fear was reduced because we always go around in different places and we encounter a lot of people),” he said.
Dagupan has distributed over 23,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines of different brands in the vaccination sites in the city. (PNA)
