Cebu seniors report side effects after inoculation

Other experience an increase in their blood pressure because they were unable to take their medication (prior to the shot) or they were nervous

Some of the 634 senior citizens who were vaccinated in Cebu experienced increased blood pressure as side effect, but Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, the city health, said these are not serious.

"I haven't heard of senior citizens who are without comorbidities. When they reach that age, it is normal for you to already have a certain sickness. Other experience an increase in their blood pressure because they were unable to take their medication (prior to the shot) or they were nervous," Ibones said.

He assured that senior citizens taking the vaccine are being watched closely, saying they are made to undergo assessment to check their vital signs and make sure they are healthy.

Ibones added that after the shot is administered, they are monitored for 30 minutes to check any adverse effects of the vaccine.

He advised those who have yet to take their shots to secure a medical certificate ahead of their schedule especially if they are under treatment for comorbidities.

The medical certificate will help government determine these individuals if they are fit to take the vaccination.

The vaccine rollout for more than 80,000 senior citizens started on 19 April. Ibones bared that Cebu City Health Department targets at least 1,000 senior citizens per day. There are 30,000 who have expressed consent to be vaccinated.

Meanwhile, elected Cebu City officials, led by Vice Mayor Michael Rama, were inoculated on Tuesday to encourage the public to get vaccinated.

Aside from Rama, the other members of the Cebu City Council who took the jabs were councilors Raul Alcoseba, Leah Ouano-Japson and Joy Augustus Young.