by Rusieljs G. Lunasco

A group photo of webinar speaker and participants. (from left) Western Visayas Medical Center Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Felice Garingalao Molina, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Esther Rose Romarate, Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, and University Physician Dr. Ma. Carmen Salcedo.

As part of its commitment to look after the health and welfare of its University personnel, Central Philippine University conducted a webinar on the Efficacy and Safety of COVID Vaccines on March 29, 2021.

The Opening Prayer was led by Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on.

CPU President Dr. Teodoro Robles delivered the welcome remarks, while the Rationale of the webinar was discussed by Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Florence P. Bogacia

Dr. Felice Garingalao-Molina, Infectious Disease Specialist, Western Visayas Medical Center, and Dr. Ivy June T. Minerva- Soriano, Professional Lecturer, CPU College of Medicine were the speakers for the said webinar.

Dr. Garingalao talked about COVID-19 updates, Basic Concepts in Immunization, Vaccine Efficacy, and Variants.

“Over time, there are changes to the figures that are given by the DOH in terms of efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccines. Trials are ongoing and vaccines are being monitored after their rollout”, said Garingalao.

When it comes to concerns about the variants of the vaccine, Dr. Garingalao paraphrased the statement of an Infectious Disease specialist. She said, “The important thing is not necessarily to focus on the variants but to focus on the whole COVID 19 virus itself. Limiting the number of cases by controlling transmission through doing our individual share of following minimum public health standards by hand hygiene, wearing face masks and face shields properly and physical distancing vaccine and deploying the vaccine so we can reach herd immunity.”

Dr. Ivy June Minerva T. Soriano’s talk focused on the safety of COVID vaccines. She also discussed about adverse, particularly allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines. She talked about two vaccines that are currently available in the Philippines, Astrazeneca and Sinovac.

Dr. Soriano also said that reactions to COVID-19 vaccines may happen but the majority are local and systemic. She also added that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh that of an allergic reaction.

The Closing Remarks was delivered by Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Esther Rose Romarate. Swimming Pool Supervisor Mr. Peter James Trasporto led the Closing Prayer.