‘Glimmer of hope’: Army division in Samar starts vaccination
TACLOBAN CITY—At least 600 soldiers and medical workers of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar province had been injected with CoronaVac, the coronavirus vaccine manufactured by Chinese company Sinovac, starting on Thursday (March 11).
Maj. Gen. Pio Dinoso III, commanding officer of the division, was among those who got injected with CoronaVac at the division headquarters’ grandstand.
Lt. Col. Christopher Dayag, head of Camp Lukban Station Hospital inside the division grounds, said 100 health workers and soldiers got the first doses of the vaccine.
The same number would be injected until March 16 and the next doses to be administered after 28 days.
The 8th Infantry Division received a total of 12,000 doses of CoronaVac from the Army national headquarters.
Diñoso said he was optimistic when he received the vaccine saying it sends a “glimmer of hope.”
Article continues after this advertisement“Many lives have been lost,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Here in 8th Infantry Division, one of our Stormtroopers perished after acquiring the vaccine,” Dinoso said.
“With the vaccine around, it gives us a glimmer of hope that we can return to our normal day-to-day lives,” he said in a statement.
“Soldiers’ vaccination is not an option. It is our duty to receive the vaccine,” he said.
“So, this is not just a privilege. Our leaders are giving us a weapon in this vaccine so that we can more efficiently, more effectively perform our jobs and serve the people,” Diñoso added.
At least 92 soldiers from the region were infected with the virus. One died while the rest have recovered from COVID-19.
MSgt. Dino Joventino Morantte said he did not feel any pain after receiving the vaccine.
“This will give us protection for ourselves and our respective families as we continue to serve and defend our country,” he said.
