Health worker in UK among first Pinoys to receive COVID-19 vaccine

A Filipino medical frontliner who has been working in the United Kingdom for 18 years was among the first Filipinos to receive a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in the area, according to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras.” John Pelayo, a 48-year-old scope coordinator in Chester Field Royal Hospital, was inoculated with the vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech when the United Kingdom started its public vaccination. He tested positive for COVID-19 in March with his wife, who is a nurse, and his colleague. “Inoffer po kaagad sa akin ‘yung slot na para makapag-vaccinate. So I was told that do you want the, I can give you a slot in the morning. Would you like it, to have the vaccine?” Pelayo said. PINOY ABROAD Published December 11, 2020 9:40pm A Filipino medical frontliner who has been working in the United Kingdom for 18 years was among the first Filipinos to receive a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in the area, according to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras.” John Pelayo, a 48-year-old scope coordinator in Chester Field Royal Hospital, was inoculated with the vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech when the United Kingdom started its public vaccination. He tested positive for COVID-19 in March with his wife, who is a nurse, and his colleague. “Inoffer po kaagad sa akin ‘yung slot na para makapag-vaccinate. So I was told that do you want the, I can give you a slot in the morning. Would you like it, to have the vaccine?” Pelayo said. “So sabi ko, okay po ako kaagad. Wala pong hestitation, andyan na po kasi, binigay na po ‘yung opportunity so naisip ko, why not? Take it kaagad,” he added. Before being injected, Pelayo said he was oriented on the possible side effects of the vaccine. He was made to sign a waiver after agreeing to the conditions. “I-interviewhin po kayo ng isang pharmacist. E-explain po sa inyo ‘yung side effects of the vaccine and everything else about the vaccine, explain po sa inyo ‘yun,” Pelayo said. “Tapos dadalhin na po kayo sa bed, uupo po kayo doon. Then darating na po ‘yung nurse na magbibigay sa inyo ng vaccine,” he added. He said the doctors stressed possible side effects such as headache, increase in temperature, fatigue and throat dryness. “’Yung mga kasama po ko na na-vaccinate rin, we had the same symptoms, which is tiredness. Parang bigla po kaming inantok kanina during work. ‘Yun napagod lang po kami bigla,” he said. However, Pelayo said that there was no pain and fever. “Normal naman po ‘yung temperature. Minsan pinapawisan lang tapos wala namang major na na-feel namin. ‘Yun lang pagod kanina,” he said. Despite receiving the vaccine, he is still required to wear a facemask, especially when inside hospital premises. “I was relieved na, and I think I was happy na nakuha ko na ‘yung vaccine. I waited this long na makuha ko na ‘yung vaccine. So I was thinking, eto na, nandito na ‘yung vaccine. At least, nakuha ko na,” Pelayo said. He said he is extremely grateful the to United Kingdom government as Filipino medical frontliners were given priority. “Inaalagaan po talaga ng government dito. Kumpleto po kami ng testing kits, PPE, actually meron po kaming mga self-testing kits po, each. Even though na-vaccinated po kami ngayon, nagte-test pa rin kami twice a week,” Pelayo said. He said he is waiting notice from the National Health Service when his wife can receive the vaccine. Pelayo wished his loved ones and fellow Filipinos in the Philippines will also be given access to the vaccine to fight COVID-19 “Para sa mga kababayan natin diyan sa Pilipinas, I do hope na makakarating diyan ‘yung vaccine,” he said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News