An additional 127,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Iloilo on Tuesday, giving a shot in the arm to the ongoing vaccination drive in Western Visayas.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, medical officer of the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) said that with more vaccine supplies coming in, there is also an increase in the interest of the public to avail of the inoculation.

“They have seen that majority did not feel side effects. If you have to weigh the risk versus the benefit, the risk is greater. If you are vaccinated, you develop antibodies,” she said.

However, they have to finish the second dose so that their antibodies that they will develop will be stronger, she added.

The report of the Regional Vaccination Operations Center (RVOC) showed that as of May 9, 2021, the grand total for the master listed Priority Group A in Western Visayas already reached 1,283,001.

Te said that the vaccination is moving and they hope to fast-track the inoculation once more vaccines will come in.

She added though that some decided to defer, while they are willing to get vaccinated, yet they have brand choices.

However, she said that once a vaccine brand enters the country, the public is assured of safety and efficacy because they have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The medical officer, added though, that they have yet to release the allocation for the additional vaccines that arrived via Iloilo International Airport Tuesday morning. (PNA)