SINOVAC : COVID-19 Vaccine

With COVID-19, the Philippines, like other countries throughout the world, is facing a potentially catastrophic challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for vaccines, and the Philippines is doing all it can to combat the disease. The propagation of the virulent Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is debilitating. COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as social separation, face masks, face shields, and discipline, are required to combat and survive this epidemic.

If you become ill with COVID-19, you may infect your family and acquaintances. COVID-19 infections can cause serious illness in certain patients, leading to hospitalization and isolation. It is preferable to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world by avoiding the spread of infectious illnesses. Vaccines can aid in the development of an immune response by causing the body to produce antibodies that protect it from a specific disease. Vaccines help the immune system defend the body against infections that can cause illness and death.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in millions of cases and deaths, has highlighted the importance of vaccines in preventing disease spread. Vaccination protects us from contracting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccinations passed all of the relevant clinical study stages. These vaccines have undergone extensive testing and monitoring to ensure that they are both safe and effective (CDC, 2021). Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 with any of the approved vaccines can provide some protection, similar to the natural immunity that you obtain when infected with COVID-19 but don't become sick.

COVID-19 vaccinations will not prevent you from contracting the virus, but they will keep you from becoming seriously or critically ill if you do. This will dramatically reduce the number of people who die as a result of the infection and the number of people who have to go to the hospital. People who have been fully immunized appear to have superior protection to those who have received COVID-19. According to one study, unvaccinated people who have already had COVID-19 are more than twice as likely to get it again than fully vaccinated ones.

As part of the pandemic solution, I'm eager to get vaccinated. I received my first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on July 27, 2021. In the Angeles City National High School, I was vaccinated by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines (ACNHS). The vaccine is made by SINOVAC. At around 2 p.m., we arrived at the vaccination area in Angeles City National High School from our workplace at PNR Angeles Station, McArthur Highway, Angeles City, Brgy Pulungbulo, Pampanga, Philippines.

There are a lot of individuals in the area. The staff at the aforementioned establishment is quite accommodating. The location and procedure are both highly efficient. The staff will ask for your identification (ID) to verify your identity, as well as whether you are a first-time or second-time dosage taker, because they have different protocols for first-time and second-time dose takers. Because I am a first-time vaccine recipient, the staff directs us to sit on the chairs supplied. The chair is correctly positioned according to the minimal required health protocol, with a 1-meter social distancing and all visitors wearing full PPE (COVID-19 PPE, like facemask & face shield). When the staff announces your name, it's time to obtain your ID and fill out the blank registration form. After completing the SINOVAC COVID-19 Vaccine Informed Consent Form and signing it, you will be taken to the registration procedure, where you will be asked for information such as your full name and specific barangay or residence. Following successful registration, the following step is to check blood pressure. After that, you'll be directed to the screening section, where medical personnel will ask you questions about your current health status, such as:

1. Have you ever had a significant allergic reaction?
2. Do you have food, egg, or drug allergies, or do you have asthma?
3. Do you have a bleeding issue or are you taking a blood thinner?
4. Fever?
5. Colds, coughs, sore throats, and other symptoms?
6. Are you experiencing symptoms as a result of your COMORBIDITY?
7. Have you had any attacks, admissions, or medication adjustments in the last three weeks?
8. In the last 14 days, have you been exposed to a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case?
9. Have you ever been diagnosed with COVID-19 or been treated for it?

In the next step, you will be asked to leave your form with a stamp from the screening section. They will be providing a vaccination card. After releasing the card, you are now ready to accept the vaccine in one of the rooms in ACNHS. The final step is vaccination. Inside the room, there were five tables. The medical staff will ask for your vaccination card since they will round out the data identifying your vaccination. After filling it out, they will stamp your card, then they will affix their signature.

After accepting the first dose, you will be asked to check your blood pressure again, and personnel will tell you about your next vaccination schedule. They will remind you that if you’re having a fever, you should only take paracetamol.

Steps in SINOVAC COVID-19 Vaccine:

• Step 1: Registration
• Step 2: Screening
• Step 3A: Counseling
• Step 3B: Final Consent
• Step 4: Vaccination
• Step 5: Post Vaccination Monitoring

Risks of COVID-19 Vaccine SINOVAC (my 1st dose)

The reported side effects are mild to severe in nature. These are the following:

1. Injection site tenderness (Yes)
2. Injection site pain (Yes)
3. Headache (Yes but bearable)
4. Fatigue (No)
5. Muscle pain (No)
6. Malaise (Yes)
7. Fever (No)
8. Chills (No)
9. Joint pain (No)
10. Swelling of lymph nodes (No)
11. Severe allergic reaction (No)
12. Tightening of the throat or difficulty of breathing (No)

The next vaccination for the second dosage was on August 24, 2021. Our corporate doctor, however, urges us not to take the second prescription as scheduled because our cook tested positive for COVID-19. For the next available timetable, our organization will collaborate with the Local Government Unit of Angeles City, Pampanga.

My second dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered on September 1, 2021, and I will be fully vaccinated. It's almost the same as when I took my first dose.

The staff will request your vaccination card and provide you with a SINOVAC Health Declaration Screening Form. The staff directs us to sit on the chairs that they have provided. The chair is appropriately set up in accordance with the minimal health procedure. Following the completion of the form, you should go to the next step, which is the registration process. Following successful registration, the following step is to check blood pressure. Then, as with the first dose, you'll be directed to the screening section, where medical personnel will ask you questions about your health situation.

Following the screening, I proceeded to one of the school's rooms to fix the incorrect information on my vaccination card. Because my last and first names were mixed up, I requested they fix it. As soon as feasible, the staff accommodates me. You are now ready to accept the vaccine in one of the ACNHS rooms after releasing the card.

Yes! I am now fully vaccinated.

Risks of COVID-19 Vaccine SINOVAC (my 2nd dose)

The reported side effects are mild to severe in nature. These are the following:

1. Injection site tenderness (Yes)
2. Injection site pain (Yes)
3. Headache (No)
4. Fatigue (No)
5. Muscle pain (No)
6. Malaise (No)
7. Fever (No)
8. Chills (No)
9. Joint pain (No)
10. Swelling of lymph nodes (No)
11. Severe allergic reaction (No)
12. Tightening of the throat or difficulty of breathing (No)

We should not be hesitant because we have been vaccinated. Even if you are fully vaccinated, you should avoid areas with high levels of transmission, such as areas with a large number of COVID-19 cases, busy outdoor settings, and close contact with people who are not fully vaccinated. Until their healthcare professional advises otherwise, continue to take all the precautions suggested for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitting mask.

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