TRCECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite (PIA) --More than 17K residents or 9.4 percent of the total 70 percent target of the Municipality of Tanza’s population were inoculated thru the local government’s vaccination efforts.

Tanza Rural Health Officer Dr. Ruth Punzalan said about 7,900 residents had received the 1^st dose of the Sinovac while 4,600 received the 1^st dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Dr. Punzalan added there were more than 30 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines remaining that were reserved for the 2^nd dose beneficiaries. Pfizer vaccines were already administered to intended beneficiaries such as OFWs.

Meanwhile, the ResBakuna on Wheels inoculated hundreds of tourism industry workers who are employed in different resorts and hotels in the municipality.

Under the IATF directive, said workers/personnel are part of the A1 priority group and considered as frontliners.

The LGU had already commenced inoculation of the A4 priority group and targets to inoculate 100 essential workers a day but limits the immunization to those aged 40-59 years said Dr. Celeste Aida Halili, Tanza RHU Medical Officer.

Members of the A1 to A3 priority groups remain a priority with the LGU’s vaccination program since vaccine supply is limited and dependent on the quantity provided by the national government.

Dr. Halili appealed to the members of the A2 and A3, “To all those belonging to the A3 priority group - Persons with Comorbidities, kindly bring along with you your prescription or medical certificate to make the process prior to vaccination easier. If you have maintenance medications we advise you to take it before proceeding to the vaccination site to stabilize your blood pressure.”

RHU officials continue to encourage the townsfolk to register for the vaccination and receive the protection against the CoViD-19 virus.

Dr. Punzalan assured the common side effects that may occur after vaccination are normal such as pain in the shoulder, occasional fever, body pains, and nausea.

She highly advised those who may experience adverse effects to inform the RHU medical staff to be able to evaluate the condition and record the incident.

Punzalan said, “Still the benefits of the vaccination outweigh the risks of adverse effects.”