At least five personnel of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City were hospitalized when they experienced dizziness and developed rashes after being inoculated with a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine from China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd. on Monday, March 1.
One of them was a male auxilliary staff who felt dizzy moments after he was administered with Sinovac vaccine, said Dr. Ramon Mora, VMMC post-vaccination observation team leader.
Mora said that the staff was already anxious during the screening as he suggested that it could have contributed to the patient feeling dizzy post-vaccination.
"Mayroon talagang natatakot katulad niyan. 'Yung isa, kanina doon pa lang sa loob talagang anxious na siya. Nandoon 'yong takot (There are some who are really afraid like him. He was anxious during the screening inside. He was afraid)," Mora said.
The male staff was at a makeshift tent that serves as the post-vaccination observation station near the VMMC vaccination area when he suddenly called for medical assistance, saying he felt dizzy. All individuals who got the Sinovac jab were sent to the post-vaccination station where they were observed for 15 to 30 minutes.
After falling ill, the male staff was immediately loaded into a stretcher and rushed to the emergency room of the hospital where he stayed for further investigation.
"Noong na-screen naman siya, wala naman. Ang ayaw lang namin 'yong may mahihirapang huminga (When he underwent screening, nothing was found on him. What we just don't want is for them to experience difficulty in breathing)," he added.
Meanwhile, another hospital staff experienced rashes which, authorities said, could be a mild reaction after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Three more staff experienced dizziness afterwards and were also sent to the ER.
Dr. Johann Giovanni Mea, spokesperson of the VMMC, said bringing the individuals who experienced post-vaccination effects to the emergency room is a standard protocol of the VMMC even as he assured that the military hospital is prepared for any eventuality during the entire vaccination program.
As of this writing, Mea said all five patients were already cleared and discharged.
The vaccination rollout at the VMMC was concluded around 4 p.m. and will commence on Tuesday morning.