End of the line

I forced myself out of the end of the vaccination line to get ahead. With the government's reclassification of the priority groups, I somehow found myself scheduled for vaccination earlier than I thought. Needless to say, I got a bit excited when I received the message from Project Balik Buhay on my vaccine schedule. A lot of thoughts raced through my head: What should I wear for easier administration of the vaccine? How should I do my "resbakuna" pose? Should I take a lot of rest after the vaccination? These and other unimportant details were what cluttered my mind instead of actually accepting the fact that I was already getting ahead.

But I wrote my name in two separate modes to get vaccinated. One in line with my work, and two in our local government unit's master list. Whichever came first, I would grab. I wanted so badly to be vaccinated in a rush to live a normal life. But I understand that it wouldn't totally protect me from the virus. It would only lessen its harmful and critical effects on my body. At least, I was enthusiastic to have a jab at it. Unlike many who have refused to be vaccinated.

Two of my students who were developing a communication plan chose to focus on removing vaccine hesitancy among residents in a specific area in our town. They said they have noticed a slow rate in the vaccination numbers which could possibly affect the rate of how fast quarantine protocols would be eased. When I reviewed their work, it showed that a number of people refused to be vaccinated because of the Dengvaxia scare and fake news that the vaccine damages other organs. Worse, an article circulated online that a microchip will be inserted in the body of the recipient. These thoughts are ridiculous as I read them and I kind of wished the effort to educate Filipinos about the vaccine would be doubled.

I understand the anxiety after the Dengvaxia flop, but that doesn't mean that we lose the ability to trust. Time and again, the manufacturers of these vaccines have reminded us that they went through clinical trials to make sure it is safe for ordinary citizens. We need to beef up the vaccination program or else we will be stuck in this pandemic and make it as an excuse to stay where we are.

To be honest, I envy my friends who live abroad who are more or less getting a feel of what it is like post-COVID. In some countries, masks aren’t needed and concerts with a real crowd are already back. This is the life I want to be in, where I can actually see and feel my students or be able to travel with no restrictions. We are closer to that but we need everyone in this.