My husband got his first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine last May 27th. We were personally given a heads up by Ms. Jonie Suanque Alvarez of Barangay One office to come to Hinigaran Public Plaza and bring one valid ID with us. We were made aware that the vaccination for the A3 Priority group was going to start soon, but I wasn’t sure exactly when it was going to officially commence so imagine the thrill both Ralph and I felt when we got the instruction to head over to the vaccination center that day.

When we got there however, we were informed that only one slot was available and I blamed myself because when we were notified by Ms. Alvarez, our lunch was already prepared and I insisted that we eat first before getting the shot. Ralph was very eager to drop everything and leave for plaza as soon as I finished thanking Ms. Alvarez for notifying us. But I insisted on eating first because I was under the impression that we should both be at our best of health before getting injected, and that includes getting food into our stomach. I guess that argument persuaded Ralph over because not only did he finish his lunch, he also took a pre-emptive nebulization.

Going back to the fact that only one slot was available, I instantly assumed that the available slot was meant for me, being the Filipino one. Months leading up to the vaccination, Ralph has been concerned about the fact that he’s a foreigner despite his permanent residence status and we couldn’t find any article or news about whether or not foreign nationals who are permanent residents who have comorbidity are eligible for the vaccination group.

While I was sitting there facing the front liners who were getting ready to interview me for the registration process, I couldn’t help but notice that they were so nice, so friendly, so welcoming that it just dawned on me that perhaps I could get Ralph vaccinated first without anyone giving us a problem. So I asked, “Is it ok if my husband get the shot first?”

“It’s up to you mam!” came their heavenly reply.

Ralph’s First Dose of AstraZeneca at Hinigaran Gymnasium

I turned around to see Ralph breathe a sigh of relief. To him, I just read his mind. He was more than willing to go first. I had no idea that while I was being prepped for registration, he has been wanting to whisper to me that maybe he can get the shot first as he leaves the house more than I do (Ok, I barely leave the house at all).

And everything went smoothly. He was asked a couple of questions like what food and medicines he’s allergic to, if he is on steroids and if he’s had other flu shots received within this year, all of which he’s passed and allowed him to take the vaccination.

Me on the other hand was silently praying that nothing gets in the way of him getting the shot. I honestly had no regret I gave him the slot first. Besides, I was told to come back first thing in the morning the following Monday, May 31st for my first dose of AstraZeneca. I was very proud that he got vaccinated!

Ralph’s Side-Effects

Ralph’s side-effect from the vaccination was very mild. He didn’t even feel anything until late afternoon. He kept asking me if he has a fever because he felt cold. He was feeling all the symptoms that were described to him by the midwife, Mrs. Flocerda Gayona, who gave him the shot — that you’ll feel as if you have a fever but you actually don’t. But he was feverish. He was completely ok the next day.

My Turn

I went to St. Mary Magdalene church grounds as early as 8:15am on May 31st accompanied by my husband. I wanted to get the shot early so we can also leave early for Bacolod. I was advised by my good friend (and third cousin) Khristine Kho to, if possible, postpone the trip to Bacolod so I could get well-rested after the shot. But we rented a car (yes we don’t own a car) so there won’t really be a lot of walking on my part and I was confident that I was going to be ok after seeing how mild the side-effects were to Ralph.

There were two familiar faces earlier than us who were already there when we arrived. They are also from Barangay 1 and they are husband and wife. They apparently have been waiting even before eight o’clock. An hour later, more senior citizens arrived with their companions. The RHU personnel arrived an hour and a half later and started setting up their tables for registration process. I guess, the so-called ‘Filipino Time‘ still exists and is still rampant up to this day.

My First Dose of AstraZeneca Almost Didn’t Happen

The doctor-in-charge was three hours late! The registration and interviews were all done, but the mid-wife couldn’t start the vaccination process because Dr. Josephine Lagtapon was not yet around. Before you get vaccinated, Dr. Lagtapon will still assess you. But she wasn’t there and it was already close to lunch time. Everyone was getting frustrated, bored and exasperated! I was also confused because I was informed that they will be opening a Sinovac vial and that’s what I will be getting. I have no problem with Sinovac. I’m not really choosy but I couldn’t help feeling disappointed because a week ago, they informed me I will be getting the same vaccine that my husband got.

When Dr. Lagtapon finally arrived, there was a held-up when she assessed the husband and wife who came before me. I was anxious when I saw them both being sent back to the end of the line without going to the vaccination booth. Startled, I asked the woman (I really forgot her name but I do know her) what was happening. She was looking all confused as if she didn’t know how to explain it to me but she just said that the doctor said they would have to wait till they open a Sinovac vial. I couldn’t get her to elaborate because my number was being called.

Dr. Lagtapon started the assessment with the usual questions about medications I’m currently on. Then she went straight to the point– she said that at my age and having comorbidity, that I shouldn’t take AstraZeneca because there’s a high risk of blood clotting. Then I told her that just a week ago, they gave my husband AstraZeneca and he’s just 44 years old. She said that AstraZeneca is safe for men his age with comorbidity. Unfortunately, it’s risky for women.

After translating what was going on to my husband, he insisted that I should still take AstraZeneca because he’s been reading articles about it and he doesn’t believe it’s harmful to me. And he said those argument right in front of the doctor who seem to be getting annoyed.

I politely informed that doctor that I will take the risk so she handed me a paper to sign that says they are not liable for any untoward side-effects of AstraZeneca. After signing, I was sent off to the next booth where the staff filled out the vaccination card details. And the last booth was the chair where I was finally going to get vaccinated!

After the shot, I was sent to the observation room where the nice and friendly staff of RHU took my vitals and monitored me for 30 minutes. They also briefed me and the other senior citizens who got the shot about the common side-effects. They instructed us to take Biogesic paracetamol should we experience bouts of headaches.

In my case, maybe because of anxiety and from the doctor’s emphasis on the risk of blood clot, I felt pangs of headache while I was inside the observation area. I didn’t tell the staff about it because the headache wasn’t too much to be a concern. But I was ok after about 15 minutes or so.

My Side-Effects

I actually didn’t feel feverish until after the next day. I had this feeling of being “unwell” — the most accurate word to describe it. But it was only overnight and after that, everything’s great!

And a day after my vaccination, an article came out regarding the vaccination status of foreign nationals in the Philippines. Apparently, if one bears the permanent resident status, they are allowed to be vaccinated, after all, they interact with the Filipino people everyday, so they too should be protected.

Just to be clear, we got vaccinated because we belong to the A3 priority group with comorbidity; I have diabetes, arthritis and asthma while Ralph has asthma and at one point diagnosed with COPD.