Ex-speaker De Venecia, wife get jab vs COVID-19 in Dagupan

Former Speaker Jose de Venecia and his wife, Gina, get their first AstraZeneca vaccine shot against COVID-19 on Tuesday, April 6, at the Dagupan City Astrodome. CONTRIBUTED

DAGUPAN CITY –– Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, 84, and his wife Gina, former Pangasinan 4th district representative, have been inoculated with AstraZeneca vaccine at the City Astrodome on Tuesday, April 6.

Their son Christopher, the current 4th district representative, accompanied them.

“They are senior citizens, and they belong to Category A2 in the priority list of the IATF, while I belong to Category B2 or ‘other government workers’ so we will be vaccinated in July. We have to wait,” the young De Venecia said in a Facebook post.

Christopher said some residents, doctors, nurses, and city health office employees were still apprehensive about getting inoculated against COVID-19.

“This is because of social media reports that someone suffered from rashes or even died after being vaccinated. But in the end, science prevails, the knowledge and want to protect themselves and their loved ones,” he said.

He assured the public that his parents were doing well after they were vaccinated.

“They did not suffer any side effects at all. But I am proud that they did this not only for themselves but to persuade others to be vaccinated,” Christopher said.

He reminded the public that those who had been inoculated could still be infected, adding that people should still comply with health protocols.

“We still have to continue wearing face masks and face shields and practice social distancing,” he said.

LZB