The country’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination program started three months ago, wherein over four million vaccine doses have already been administered.
Many are still unvaccinated and may have some questions about the vaccination process.
Here’s the vaccination process recommended by the Department of Health (DOH) which is currently being followed by the different local government units (LGUs).
Those who are eligible to get the vaccine must first register with their respective local government units.
The vaccination activity will be by schedule to avoid crowding and to maintain the minimum public health standards on the vaccination centers.
To note, “immunocompromised” individuals need a medical clearance from their attending physicians “prior to vaccination for appropriate patient education on the risks and benefits of vaccination.”
These include those with autoimmune disease, HIV, cancer patients currently undergoing treatment, transplant patients, those undergoing steroid treatment, and patients who are bedridden, among others.
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While waiting for your vaccination schedule, you should prepare some documents that you may need in the vaccination site.
“These include any government ID; any proof of comorbidity, if needed (any one of the following: prescription, medical certificate, other hospital records); medical clearance, if needed; as well as your face mask, face shield, alcohol, and a ballpen,” the DOH said.
On your vaccination day, a waiting area will be set up where vaccine recipients will have to wait for their turn to get vaccinated.
Before getting vaccinated, you may ask questions about the vaccine and other related concerns such as its possible side effects. You also need to sign an “informed consent” form.
A health screening will also be conducted, where your medical history will be reviewed by trained professionals who are manning the vaccination sites.
The next step would be the actual vaccination. A trained doctor, midwife, or a nurse will administer the vaccine.
After this, the health workers will now encode the details of your vaccination in the immunization card. This includes the date of the first vaccination and when the second dose will be administered.
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You will be asked to stay in a designated area for “post-vaccination monitoring,” to observe if you will be experiencing any adverse reactions to the vaccine. This would take about 15 to 30 minutes.
During your second dose appointment, the DOH reminded that “before leaving the (inoculation center), make sure your vaccination card is filled correctly.”
“It should be marked on your card that you received your second dose of the vaccine, and you should take note of the health facility or hotline number to report in case you experience any adverse events following immunization,” the DOH said.
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