Eighty-nine percent (40 out of 45) DILG OC-hired contact tracers (CTs) got their first COVID-19 jabs on March 23 at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center through the vaccination program of the City Government of Olongapo.
The CTs, together with City Health Office medical workers, were inoculated with Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines. Public and private Hospital workers received their COVACs beforehand, while other frontliners such as the employees of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams are next in the local COVID-19 vaccination queue.
The vaccination of the other five CTs was deferred to a later schedule, as advised by the medical team, due to high blood pressure and other observed health conditions.
20 contact tracers were reported to experience usual adverse effects such as high fever, body pains, dizziness and vomiting following their immunization.
The CTs are scheduled to receive their second inoculations on April 20 and May 18.
"I have come to realize the long-term benefits (of getting vaccinated), so I've gained enough motivation to take my dose," said Jonathan Oca, DILG OC-hired CT. "(I'm) just simply happy to have been given the free shot and to be able to support the government's effort in achieving herd immunity."
"The quickest way for life to return to normal is for most people to get vaccinated. As a Contact Tracer of the City, I humbly ask everyone to do the same- get vaccinated, be aware and always stay safe," said Contact Tracer Joseph Carrero.