Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año described Thursday, June 17 the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) inoculation as a “milestone’’ to gain herd protection against the deadly virus.
He issued the statement as the vaccination of 759 DILG Central Office officials and employees under the A4 category which includes the frontline personnel in the essential sectors and uniformed personnel began on June 16 with the rollout lasting for three days.
Of the 759 employees who signed up for COVID-19 vaccination, 284 personnel regularly reporting for work took their jabs on day one of the scheduled vaccination process.
Among the DILG top officials who took COVID-19 jabs early on day one were Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, Assistant Secretary Manuel Felix, and Assistant Secretary Florida Dijan.
The DILG chief said that day two is for the inoculation of 311 employees who work from home (WFH) including personnel from the Local Government Academy, DILG Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Philippine Councilors League, Commission on Audit Field Office, and Civil Service Commission Field Office.
On the third day, the remaining 311 employees on WFH arrangement will be accommodated including DILG MIMAROPA personnel and immediate family members of DILG Central Office personnel.
In a memorandum, Año reminded all who signed up for the COVID-19 shots to drink plenty of water; eat nutritious food rich in vitamin C; avoid alcohol intake 24 hours prior to vaccination; eat before being vaccinated and have a good night sleep.
For personnel who have maintenance medications, Año said they should take their meds as usual and take multivitamins too but they should avoid thinner medications such as aspirin and clopidogrel three days before vaccination.
As a precautionary measure, Año reminded the employees who are feeling sick, in quarantine prior to vaccination, and/or have been exposed to any COVID-19 positive individuals in the past 14 days to coordinate first with the medical clinic for evaluation and assessment.
To avoid any possible COVID-19 cases, the administering doctors and nurses wore personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks and face shields as employees are likewise mandated to wear face masks and face shields and observe physical distancing.