There was no hesitancy whatsoever when registered nurse Arriffah Nangco Areffuddin learned she can already avail of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Areffuddin said it is her contribution to the country’s goal to beat the dreaded disease and she fully trusts scientists and experts who certify that all Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

As a healthcare worker in a Covid-19 referral facility in Parañaque City, she said the vaccine will give her enough protection while serving patients.

After receiving the Sputnik V jab on Thursday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay, the 25-year-old Areffuddin urged others to follow suit.

“’Wag na nating hintayin na magka-Covid tayong lahat bago magpabakuna. Mas mahalaga kasi na maniwala tayo na prevention is better than cure. Nung baby nga tayo pinababakunahan na tayo, bakit hindi ngayon? (Let’s not wait to be infected with Covid-19 before deciding to get vaccinated. It’s more important to believe that prevention is better than cure. We got vaccinated when we were infants. Why not now?),” she said in an interview.

Family protection

Roman Gonzales, 55, of Baclaran, Parañaque, has comorbidities and wants to also make sure that his family, particularly his senior citizen mother, are protected from the virus.

“’Yung priority namin ay ang kaligtasan niya. Ako nga kahit may sakit ako, ayoko na sana kaso para sa kanya yun (Our priority is the safety of our mother. At first, I did not want to get the vaccine but for her, I did it),” he said.

Gonzales, who said he did not have a preferred brand, thanked the government for pushing the vaccination campaign.

“It will greatly help citizens get protected, particularly those with similar conditions and vulnerabilities,” he said in Filipino.

Another jab recipient, Peofila Alapide, 63, said she did not feel any side effects after receiving the Sputnik V jab.

“I am excited to complete my doses. I urge my fellow senior citizens to avail of vaccines,” she told the Philippine News Agency.

Faith in God

Dennis Dacanay 54, a stroke survivor, said getting vaccinated is another way of thanking God for the gift of a second life.

“Importante sakin ang mabakunahan dahil stroke victim ako so kailangan kong pumila sa vaccine para sa second life ko (It’s important to me to get vaccinated because I am a stroke victim so I really need to queue for my second life),” he said.

“This is my second life. Bonus na lang itong bakuna para sakin para madugtungan pa ang buhay ko. Salamat sa Diyos (The vaccine is just a bonus to prolong my life. Thank you, Lord),” he added.

Dacanay was bedridden for three months after suffering a stroke in 2019. A few months later, the pandemic struck.

“I consider this a miracle and I am living proof that with prayers, God listens and even in the world of sinners, I am given a chance to live again,” he said.

Parañaque, Manila, Makati, Taguig, and Muntinlupa were the first cities to roll out the initial 15,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccines.

As of May 4, a total of 2,065,235 Filipinos have been vaccinated with at least one dose while 320,586 are fully vaccinated. (PNA)