DOH: 13 who got Sinovac vaccines had ‘minor, common’ adverse effects

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen people who received the vaccines from Sinovac biotech firm experienced negative effects during the first day of the government’s immunization program on Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

“There were 13 adverse events following immunization that were noted yesterday among all of these vacinees in these different hospitals. All of them are common and minor adverse events,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online press conference.

Of the 13, Vergeire said one experienced hypertension, three experienced arm pain, one experienced rashes or itchiness,  one experienced headache, and one experienced “nauseous experience” or vomiting. She did not specify the effects for the six remaining vacinees.

Vergeire said all those who experienced adverse effects were “observed and were immediately sent home.” She added that nobody was hospitalized amid the negative effects of the vaccines.

The DOH official also urged the public to not worry about the negative effects after getting inoculated because these are “uncommon and mild.”

“Huwag tayo matatakot sa adverse reactions kasi mild po ito at napaka uncommon. Napakaliit ng porsyento na kayo ay magkakaroon ng adverse effects,” Vergeire pointed out.

(Don’t be afraid of the reactions because these are uncommon and mild. There is little percentage that we will get adverse effects.)

On Monday, the government finally began the vaccination program using the Sinovac biotech firm vaccines. Philippine General Hospital Director Dr. Gerardo “Gap” Legaspi was the first to receive the Covid-19 vaccines.

JPV