LAOAG CITY – Laoag City General Hospital (LCGH), administrator Dr. Eliezer John Asuncion, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks it may involve.
Dr. Asuncion, 63, was the first recipient of the Covid-19 vaccine in Ilocos Norte. The vaccination rollout here last Friday was attended Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, National Task Force Against Covid-19 deputy chief implementor Vince Dizon and Department of Health officials.
Asuncion said he was not thinking about making history when he took the AstraZeneca jab on Friday, he took it for the safety of his colleagues, family, and friends.
“I feel good. This is my simple way to help the government and encourage everyone to take the chance. I believe the benefits outweigh the side effects,” he said.
During the Friday rollout here, the first 50 vials of the AstraZeneca vaccines were given to senior healthcare workers at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City, the LCGH, and the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital, also here in Laoag.
Aside from Asuncion, Maria Eufrecinia Ruby Blanco, a bookkeeper at the LCGH, also took China’s Sinovac vaccine last Friday.
“At first, I was a little bit anxious because of the many circulating information about the vaccine. But knowing the vaccine has been tried by experts, I know that I am safe and protected,” Blanco, 53, said.
Dr. Mary Ann Luis, chief of clinics at the Laoag hospital, said all LCGH healthcare workers are willing to be inoculated.
“They said they will feel more secure once vaccinated. There were doubts at first but as they see more and more individuals are getting vaccinated without experiencing any side effects, the acceptance rate increased,” Luis said
“The vaccines may finally end the spread of the virus as people move on to the new normal,” Asuncion stressed.