DESERTING DOOMSDAY
June 23, 2022

DESERTING DOOMSDAY

It’s as if one day, we woke up caught in a crossfire, in a battle where we can’t afford to lose. The world in unison is experiencing a catastrophe. Day by day, reports on rising death tolls and COVID- 19 cases make the day somber. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted people’s jobs, education, and have even cost their lives. In this battle, where we can see yet no light at the end of the tunnel, there are people who light our way while we fight a rayless battle. They use no guns or bombs, nor do they have violence in their minds. They are the heroes of the present times, our frontline workers. Like in any battles, the warrior accepts his destiny, to either desert the doomsday triumphantly or meet the doom. But unlike any other warriors, our frontline workers are fighting this battle not for their desires or aspirations. They are fighting the battle for us, for our dreams and future. They are willing to meet the doom for us to desert the doomsday. These heroes came all the way from the Western Mindanao State University, College of Nursing. next page….

The hope for a healthier and COVID free country was enlightened when the first batch of the COVID 19 vaccines landed in the Philippines on March 1, 2021. During these times, a lot of people were still doubtful and uncertain of whether or not they will allow themselves to be vaccinated because of various articles and social media posts that were discouraging people to be vaccinated. It was indeed a great challenge for our frontline workers knowing how many citizens have chosen not to cooperate even if it’s still for their own good. The good thing is that, the commitment of these heroes to persevere even in the hardest times is stronger than the doubtful minds of the public. And two months later, specifically on the 21st of May, a team composed of persevered and dedicated frontline workers from the WMSU College of Nursing was created as a Vaccination Team as per the Approved Memorandum Order No. 000582, Series of 2021. On that same week, May 24, the orientation of the COVID-19 Data Management System was held at the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit which was attended by four members of the team: Mr. Michel Vincent Calantas, Mr. Richard Hamja, Ms. Maria Fatima Tan, and Mr. Harold Mariano. On May 26, the Orientation on the Vaccination Process was conducted at WMSU Gymnasium spearheaded by Ms. Corazon V. Pagotaisidiro, EPI Coordinator of the City Health Office and attended by the Vaccination Team and some university officials. On the 7th day of June, a scheduled vaccination for the members of the vaccination team was conducted in which the activity was still subjected to the availability of the vaccine during those times. There was then a pending final notice from the City Health after communicating with Ms. Pagaotaisidro regarding the availability of the COVID-19 Vaccines. Two weeks later, specifically on the 18th day of June, the College of Nursing of the Western Mindanao State University through its Extension Service and Community Involvement spearheaded the WMSU Bakuna Center in coordination with the University Health Services with the goal of bringing the people closer to a safe and COVID-free life. As the launch of the WMSU Bakuna Center started, it has been evident how our heroes showed the unwavering perseverance to serve the people to keep them away from the dreadful effects of the COVID-19. For the whole month of June, a total of 599 citizens successfully had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer-BioNTech. 96 were part of A2 Population which consist of Senior Citizen aged 60 and above while 456 were those of the A3 population composed of people with comorbidities. A total of 100 vials were used for the month-long service with a total of five scheduled batches of vaccination. The first batch was scheduled on June 18, 2021, the second to the fifth batches were done from June 21 to 24 consecutively. The following month, a total of three COVID-19 vaccines were used namely the Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac CoronoVac, and the Oxford AstraZeneca. A total of 954 citizens were vaccinated for the whole month of July, 196 of which took their 1st dose while 758 took their 2nd dose. 600 were vaccinated with Pfizer- BionNTech, 204 for the Oxford AstaZeneca, and 150 for the Sinovac CoronoVac. A total of 46 under the A1 Population consisting of Frontline worker in health facilities took their 2nd dose, 1 under the Extended Priority A1 consisting of the Family of Frontline Healthcare Workers took the 1st dose, while 182 under the Extended Priority A1 consisting of Additional Frontline Healthcare Workers took their 1st dose, summing up to a total of 229 citizens.

For the A2 Population consisting of the Senior Citizens, one took the 1st dose while 117 took their 2nd dose summing up to a total of 118 citizens. The A3 Population consisting of Persons with Comorbidities has a total of 442 citizens, 12 of which took their 1st dose while 430 took their 2nd dose. Lastly, 165 citizens under the A4 Population, consisting of Uniformed Personnel, took their 2nd dose. A total of 100 vials of Pfizer-BioNTech were used while 17 for the Oxford Astrazeneca, and 150 for the Sinovac CoronoVac were utilized for month-long service with a total of six scheduled batches in which one batch was allotted for the Sinovac CoronoVac and Pfizer BioNTech on July 12 while an additional of four scheduled batches were done with Pfizer BioNTech Vaccine from July 13-16, and one batch was allotted for the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccines on July 21. The WMSU Bakuna Center then continued their service on September 30 with the Oxford AstraZeneca as the vaccine of use. A total of 203 citizens were vaccinated in which 181 belonged to the Priority A1 Population who received their 2nd dose of vaccine, one from Priority A2 Population who received their 1st dose of vaccine, three were under the Priority A4 who received their 1st dose while 18 of those under this population took their 1st dose of vaccine. A total of 17 vials were used during this vaccination service. The vaccination team then continued its service two months later. Pfizer BioNTech vaccines were utilized for the whole month of service in December. On December 8, a total of 300 citizens were vaccinated in which two, who belonged to the Rest of the Adult Population (ROAP), got their 1st dose while 298 got their 2nd dose. 70 were from ROAP, 3 from Pediatric and the 225 were from the ROPP. The following day, December 9, 198 individuals were vaccinated. 197 received their 1st dose in which 116 were from ROAP and 81 were ROPP while only one citizen from the A2 population got the 2nd dose. The next day, December 10, 198 citizens successfully received their shots in which 3 from the ROAP received their 1st dose and 153 received their 2nd dose while 42 from ROPP got their 2nd dose.

The service continued on December 20 in which 298 citizens were vaccinated. Three got the shot for 1st dose in which 2 were from the ROAP and one from the ROPP. A total of 291 citizens received their 2nd dose in which 157 were from the ROAP and one from the ROPP. During this day, the administration of the booster shot began in which four from the A2 population received their shot. The next day, December 21, 268 citizens were vaccinated. Two from the ROAP got their 1st dose and 129 got the 2nd dose shot. 138 from the ROPP got the 2nd dose while two who belonged in the A2 Population got their booster shot. The following day, December 22, a total of 210 citizens successfully received their shots. 102 were from the ROAP in which one got the 1st dose while 101 received the 2nd shot. 104 were from the ROPP also got their shot in which four took the 1st dose of shot while 100 received their 2nd dose. Four from the A1 population got their booster shot during this day. The last day of service of the vaccination team for the year 2021 was a day right before Christmas Day, December 24. It was indeed a great Christmas gift for 136 citizens from the ROAP to be able to receive their 1st dose of vaccine. Two years under this pandemic just prove that COVID-19 is no easy foe. Every person involved in combating this pandemic has a key role to play. It is beyond gratitude that we ought to honor all those who step out of their homes onto the battlefield every day and those who are in the thick of the battle, still hopeful, whatever the cost. We honor their utter selflessness and heroism and their courage of forfeiting precious time with the family in the face of uncertainty and dangers to life and limb. There are many ways to support our warriors, our frontline workers and each other during these troubling times. However, one of the best ways to help them is by getting vaccinated. We don’t only protect ourselves by getting vaccinated but others as well. Together, we can defeat COVID-19 and win this battle.

The service continued on December 20 in which 298 citizens were vaccinated. Three got the shot for 1st dose in which 2 were from the ROAP and one from the ROPP. A total of 291 citizens received their 2nd dose in which 157 were from the ROAP and one from the ROPP. During this day, the administration of the booster shot began in which four from the A2 population received their shot. The next day, December 21, 268 citizens were vaccinated. Two from the ROAP got their 1st dose and 129 got the 2nd dose shot. 138 from the ROPP got the 2nd dose while two who belonged in the A2 Population got their booster shot. The following day, December 22, a total of 210 citizens successfully received their shots. 102 were from the ROAP in which one got the 1st dose while 101 received the 2nd shot. 104 were from the ROPP also got their shot in which four took the 1st dose of shot while 100 received their 2nd dose. Four from the A1 population got their booster shot during this day. The last day of service of the vaccination team for the year 2021 was a day right before Christmas Day, December 24. It was indeed a great Christmas gift for 136 citizens from the ROAP to be able to receive their 1st dose of vaccine. Two years under this pandemic just prove that COVID-19 is no easy foe. Every person involved in combating this pandemic has a key role to play. It is beyond gratitude that we ought to honor all those who step out of their homes onto the battlefield every day and those who are in the thick of the battle, still hopeful, whatever the cost. We honor their utter selflessness and heroism and their courage of forfeiting precious time with the family in the face of uncertainty and dangers to life and limb. There are many ways to support our warriors, our frontline workers and each other during these troubling times. However, one of the best ways to help them is by getting vaccinated. We don’t only protect ourselves by getting vaccinated but others as well. Together, we can defeat COVID-19 and win this battle. (Johanna Marie Gantalao & Michel Vincent Calantas, College of Nursing)

 212 2121213 tl (1) tl (2) tl (3) tl