More San Lazaro Hospital workers want to be vaccinated with Sinovac

San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) ran out of Sinovac vaccines early in the day since many of its employees decided to be vaccinated with Sinovac.

Ian Cruz reported on “24 Oras” decided they want to receive the Chinese vaccine at the last minute.

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The national government gave 300 doses of Sinovac to San Lazaro Hospital so a total of 150 staff of SLH were inoculated. However, hospital spokesperson Ferdinand de Guzman said many are still in line.

“We were given 300 doses for 150 employees kaya lang lumampas po ng kaunti kasi maraming interesado na so dadagdagan daw po. We will be given additional doses of the vaccine,” de Guzman said.

Doctors said the start of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in the San Lazaro Hospital provides hope.

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“Talagang natutuwa kami na at least ngayon, ito na ’yong araw na hinihintay natin sa pagbabakuna at siguro after this medyo mataas na ‘yong kompiyansa natin ‘pag humahawak ng kaso ng COVID-19,” infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontgene Salonte said.

More San Lazaro Hospital workers want to be vaccinated with Sinovac

“This is the only vaccine available in the country so we have to make the most of what we have,” SLH medical director Edmundo Lopez added.

It could be recalled that in January 2020, a couple observed for COVID-19 were confined in San Lazaro Hospital. One of the couples, who came from Wuhan, China, eventually died but it was not confirmed if he succumbed to the disease at the time.

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Meanwhile, in  City, only 120 health workers of the Father Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC) showed up to launch the LGU’s  program.

According to the hospital chief, 1,200 registered, but this was when the first expected vaccine was Pfizer and not CoronaVac of Sinovac Biotech from China.

“Nanghihinayang ako, sana ito na iyong opportunity na soonest available vaccine, dapat i-grab na natin di ba?” said Dr. Imelda Mateo, chief of the hospital.

Even though 90 percent backed out, ARMMC still hopes to attract more next week.

Mateo says more senior doctors in Marikina are willing to be vaccinated with CoronaVac. However, the vaccine is not recommended for those who are 60 years old and above.