CAMPUS VAX DRIVE. The Benguet State University commenced the Covid-19 vaccination of their students on Tuesday (Nov. 9, 2021). Photo shows Commissioner Lilian delas Llagas (4th from left), Dr. Florence Poltic (5th from left), and BSU president Dr. Felipe Comila (right) during the ceremonial vaccination. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Supreme Student Government (SSG) of the Benguet State University (BSU) had been tapped to help in the government’s vaccination information drive by coming up with initiatives to convince fellow students to receive the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine.
“We were asked to help with the campaign and we came up with a vaccination schedule for our fellow students in support of the student vaccination campaign of the government,” said Ronica Raine Babsa-ay, Development Communication student and executive vice president of the BSU-SSG in a phone interview on Wednesday.
She said she believes that student leaders like her can also influence fellow students, especially those who are hesitant to get vaccinated.
“It is a better way also since we have similar situations, similar understandings how vaccination work and as students, we are taking our courses on a similar footing trying to get by through with the day-to-day calls of the course,” she said.
She said the SSG, in partnership with the student organization of the College of Nursing and the DevCom under the College of Agriculture with the University administration, helped make the link with the local government for the setting up of a vaccination area and schedule inside the campus to cater specifically to the BSU students.
She said that convincing fellow students to get the jab is difficult if the person does not have complete knowledge and understanding of the whole concept of the need to be vaccinated.
“Some have fears because maybe kulang ang (they lack) information. That is why we are trying to tackle both,” she said.
“Thru the BSU and the SSG Facebook and other online platforms, we came up with more information to disseminate especially now that it is difficult to reach students because there are no face-to-face classes. It is the only way we can reach our fellow students right now,” Babsa-ay said.
She added that they will come up with a database of students who are not vaccinated to pinpoint their needs and assist them by letting the officials know of their needs and concerns in getting the jab.
The BSU students vaccination began Tuesday with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Lilian delas Llagas witnessing the ceremonial vaccination together with officials of the university led by president Felipe Comila.
Babsa-ay said they have asked for the vaccination schedule until the second week of December to accommodate more students. (PNA)
