Foreigner COVID-19 Vaccinations

166POSTS

4 years ago

Hi everyone, hope you’re all happy, healthy, and well

After much procrastination and resistance, I have decided to surrender to the fact that I simply must get the jab/s in order to have any kind of mobility or freedom here or abroad. That said, anyone know where I can go in the Philippines to get my choice of preferred vaccinations?

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manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

4 years ago

Not too sure about the exact procedure in the different local cities/barangays but in ours we firstly had to pre-register online with our local city health office after which a QR code/registration number is issued & then wait....(which may take months).
In our case my better half (being a member of the local barangay womans group got to know some medical health staff who managed to get us a priority number when our preferred vaccinations were being rolled out (A short 2hrs notice was given for us to be present at our local gym)
Once there she helped both me (>55) & my better half to bypass the queue that had already formed basis the (senior+assistant priority previlege) to secure both of us our 1st jab.
Our 2nd jab will be in about a months time.
Sorry I just can't help myself : Ffffffrrrreeedddoooommmm

onefogarty Contributor

166POSTS

4 years ago

manwonder wrote:
Not too sure about the exact procedure in the different local cities/barangays but in ours we firstly had to pre-register online with our local city health office after which a QR code/registration number is issued & then wait....(which may take months).
In our case my better half (being a member of the local barangay womans group got to know some medical health staff who managed to get us a priority number when our preferred vaccinations were being rolled out (A short 2hrs notice was given for us to be present at our local gym)
Once there she helped both me (>55) & my better half to bypass the queue that had already formed basis the (senior+assistant priority previlege) to secure both of us our 1st jab.
Our 2nd jab will be in about a months time.
Sorry I just can't help myself : Ffffffrrrreeedddoooommmm

Haha yes my girl will most likely do the same for us. She actually offered it a few weeks ago but I declined. Now I’m submitting to the inevitability.

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

4 years ago

Both partner & I just received our 2nd pfizer jab this morning (hardly 3 weeks after our 1st jab).
Vaccination take up rate in our province remains v.low <25% of the population making it easier for us get our 2nd jab.
Infact this time around they had set up a photo taking booth where there were ply cards that could be held up for a selfie (stating : "vaccinated second dose")
In & out of the city gym in 1.5hrs enjoyed the smooth (senior+assistant priority previlege) & took our selfies too.
Both of us are feeling just fine.

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

4 years ago

Good to hear, MW.

frankanderson Contributor

114POSTS

4 years ago

I dont think they announce what jabs they are giving unless you go there and ask, like you just show up and what you get is what you get.

Some areas are easier to obtain then others, some places walk in allowed while others appointment is required. You can check this on their local gov or FB page.

We got lucky as one of the staff working at the facility happen to be my wife's frequent customer, and when asking was told they was giving Moderna that day, so off we went at late afternoon and We got Moderna.

We got our 2nd shot around end of Sept. The first shot wasn't bad, only muscle sore for a couple days. The 2nd shot was a bit rough, fever, muscle sore, body sore and bed ridden for about 24 hours. It took around 2.5 days to fully recover but after that, we feel fine again.

Do bring all your prescription meds to show them, they will ask you. Also if you just recently received any other type of vaccination, they wont jab you. If you are pregnant, make sure you get a referral letter from your OB. They didn't ask for one on the first shot, but the 2nd one. They ask my missus for it and won't jab her unless she had it. We managed to contact our OB and he gave her his license number and the go ahead.

bigpearl ViP

4325POSTS

4 years ago

We registered with our local private hospital and the local municipal 6 plus moths ago, about 2 months ago I got a text msg from the hospital offering the sinovac jab at 2:38 pm, please respond before 4:00 pm to book your position in hospital at 8:00 am the following day,,,,,,,, I didn't receive the msg (don't live on my phone like some) until around 6:00 pm so ignored as Sinovac was off my radar.

2 weeks later a text msg from our municipal, Pfizer vaccine available, please be at this location by 7:00 am with 3 days notice, done and dusted 2 jabs now for me and the better half a week ago with first jab, Pfizer again.
I suppose at the end of the day any jab is better than none. For me? 2 jabs later and I still don't feel safe and a recluse I am these days.

Cheers, Steve.

Gregorio2020 Active member

64POSTS

4 years ago

My provincial town in southern Cebu announced receiving 100 doses of vaccine...for the 50,000 residents.....hahaha what a joke. They were all gone to a selected group. So now I stayed in a hotel in Cebu City.....went to SM Seaside, which allowed walk-ins.....they didn't inform anyone which vaccine it was until you are into Step 2 or 3.....and this ended up being the Sinovac...........Well, I went ahead and got my 1st dose....2nd dose of the same vaccine will be on Nov 15. I was pretty against any of these vaccines, but finally gave in because it will give me more freedom. Then just today, while still in Cebu City, I did some shopping at Ayala Shopping mall.....and they were giving the Pfizer vaccine.......hmmm, if only I knew. Not sure what anyone here has heard, or knows, but I've heard that the US and some other countries don't accept travelers that have the Sinovac vaccine. Can anybody confirm this?

Enzyte Bob ViP

4294POSTS

4 years ago

Gregorio2020 wrote:
<snip1> they didn't inform anyone which vaccine it was until you are into Step 2 or 3.....and this ended up being the Sinovac...........

<snip2>Well, I went ahead and got my 1st dose....2nd dose of the same vaccine will be on Nov 15. I was pretty against any of these vaccines, but finally gave in because it will give me more freedom.

<snip3>Not sure what anyone here has heard, or knows, but I've heard that the US and some other countries don't accept travelers that have the Sinovac vaccine. Can anybody confirm this?

<1> Like most of us, Sinovac,

<2> I'm an antivac person, but at my age what the heck, if the vaccine doesn't kill me, something else will. Also the freedom now and possible in the future.

<3> I will be doing my research for my booster shot and find an alternative to Sinovac, hopefully for all us Sinovac users the alternative job will allow us to travel worldwide and if they allow travelers from the Philippines in and not be quarantined.

frankanderson Contributor

114POSTS

4 years ago

#10

Gregorio2020 wrote:
I've heard that the US and some other countries don't accept travelers that have the Sinovac vaccine. Can anybody confirm this?

This is all I know and please do take this with a grain of salt.

after NOV, you probably wont be able to enter US with visa unless vaccinated. Sinovac is accepted last I checked. I doubt this applies to citizens if you are vaccinated or not, they'll probably just quarantine your a.....

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58929441

"Covid: US to lift travel ban for fully jabbed on 8 November"

All that I have read just point to the efficacy issue of SInovac, but none actually reads that they WONT let you in the country because of it.

unless you are unvaccinated and even if you are, proving that you are with ID that the country you are entering will acknowledge it is another matter. Like Hong Kong does not accept Philippine's vaccination cards. So how will that work ? headache.

If you are visiting, Suggest you contact the local embassy or do some online research before heading, just to make double sure before going.

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

4 years ago

#11

Our local Mayors office (Surigao City) just issued an urgent executive order last night stating that all local business/establishents/malls will now require all its customers to present their vaccination cards prior being admitted.
Making it a "no vaccine no entry policy"...maybe his way of pushing more of his residents to get vaccinated asap which still remains at <30% of the local population.

Okieboy Serial expat

659POSTS

4 years ago

#12

I saw where the USA and the EU do not consider your vaccinated if you've had Sinovac, they don't ban you just quarantine

Lotus Eater ViP

1965POSTS

4 years ago

#13

"Sorry I just can't help myself : Ffffffrrrreeedddoooommmm"

Depends on your interpretation of the adjective Freedom. I don't live in the Philippines but from what I gather it's like living in an 'open prison'
The Philippine government is cack handed at best and monumentally incompetent at worst on just about everything it does. There has been no joined up thinking or national plan of action to implement the vaccine programme which has been delegated to local mayors and barangays. Whatever your views are on vaccines the country is not going to open up until the vast majoriry of Filipinos are vaccinated. Period.

The Philippines is a service based economy unlike many other ASEAN nations and will continue to be beggared by its neighbours economically if the country does not get its act together soon.

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

4 years ago

#14

Well here in this 3rd world backwater provice where I have been living for >2.5yrs which is located in the northeastern coast of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean most of the residents are poor/uneducated but v.resourceful/happy fisherman folk whom appear to be very contented with whatever they have & they don't really aspire/want change (that includes taking the covid jab) nor the stresses that the modern world comes with & maybe like you say many of their local gov't agencies are equally slow/disorganized & it may take a few more years for the whole of the Philippines to get back on track but they will come back strong just slower than most other countries but rest assured they will be back....
"Sorry I just can't help myself : Ffffffrrrreeedddoooommmm"...I just love it here (like some of the other lucky ones who are already here) & are as always fffffrrreeee to go wherever we want offcourse within the city limits.

tpiro Serial expat

274POSTS

4 years ago

#15

that's too funny... "go wherever we want offcourse within the city limits."

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

4 years ago

#16

170,000 people living on 245km2 of underdeveloped land sounds like ffffrrreeedddoommm to me

pilotdrh Contributor

119POSTS

4 years ago

#17

I saw the writing on the wall before we left the US. Wife and I went and got the J&J shot in May while we were still in FL. So far we've only shown our vac cards to get discounts, 10% off is better than nothing. So far we haven't had any issues with local travel from Lipa to Manila, or around that entire area.

Andrew Fleming66 Member

13POSTS

4 years ago

#18

Had my first jab the other day here in Angeles, more by accident that good design. I am 73 yers old and very pro vaccination, but haven't been able to get over to the vaccination centers. Then by accident when going for a short walk, stumbled across a mobile vaccination center set up just a couple hundred meters from my home. I asked if I could get a jab, they were completely obliging even though I didn't have any id (I was only going for a quick breath of fresh air), and also sans a face shield, No problem, they found me a loaner, took my details, blood pressure and 15 minutes later walked away jabbed. Easy. They will be returning to my area on the 22nd and will recieve my 2nd jab then. Check with your LGU online they may also have mobile clinics and list dates and places where the bus will be depending on your location. By the way, had no adverse reactions,

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

3 years ago

#19

Yesterday both my better half & me received our '1st' booster jab at our City Health Office (pfizer once again).

Yup we sure did take our own sweet time to get these booster jabs.

In & out of the Health Office in 45mins as we once again enjoyed the smooth (senior+assistant priority previlege) + this time round there was no crowd.

Both of us are feeling just fine.

We hope to get our 2nd booster shot in about 4mths iagw.

Enzyte Bob ViP

4294POSTS

3 years ago

#20

A recent stateside news article was about the Governor of Pennsylvania getting Covid a second time even after a booster shot.

Myself having Covid and now having three vaxx's, I'm thinking it will never end. My covid was between the first and second vaxx. The third vaxx left me sick for a couple days.

Okieboy Serial expat

659POSTS

3 years ago

#21

@Enzyte Bob I have had the double dose of Phizer, I think I will hold off on the booster, they claim the booster by Phizer is about to be released, it is supposed to be good for a year, maybe it will be available here in the pharmacy

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

3 years ago

#22

I got my second booster just before returning to PI early June. Cases are rising again in the States and I thought it best before traveling through 5 airports and on 4 flights. Feel much safer in PI where cases are much lower per capita and people wear masks for the most part.

As a side note, I’ve heard that the third dose of Sinovac is the one that creates extremely effective and durable protection, even better than the mRNA versions, according to one study. But always best to do your own research.

Enzyte Bob ViP

4294POSTS

3 years ago

#23

I had Sinovac for the first two jabs and then Pfizer for the third jab.

Wellsfry Serial expat

397POSTS

3 years ago

#24

It is well past time to view covid in the same lense as the yearly flu... Accepted without counting "cases"... In My opinion.

.... and the "Vaccine" should be viewed not as a traditional "Vaccine", but rather a yearly covid shot for the current variant, again... just like the flu.

.... To continue the "Cases" language only spreads fear, and Misinformation as far as the actual danger that this virus has become... which is FAR less dangerous as the first outbreak.

.....All just my opinion... I respect everyone's choices, as we all have to make them for ourselves, and our families. 🍻

Lotus Eater ViP

1965POSTS

3 years ago

#25

Agreed. It's time to put covid to bed and move on with life.

Enzyte Bob ViP

4294POSTS

3 years ago

#26

Agreed. It's time to put covid to bed and move on with life.
- @Lotus Eater

***********************************************************************

Agreed. It's time to put covid to bed and move on with "wife". Sorry Eater couldn't resist, MY Bad.

mahi948 Active member

40POSTS

3 years ago

#27

@pnwcyclist I have no 1st ,2nd or 3rd dose of any vaccine and will not and dont wear masks.

We have friends who have had them all and got " omicron" while we didnt . Fortunately we couldn't be coerced into any vaccines for jobs or travel.

Lotus Eater ViP

1965POSTS

3 years ago

#28

Good on yah. Without doubt it’s an Alien conspiracy.

Take a couple of paracetamol and have an early night. You’ll feel better in the morning

Enzyte Bob ViP

4294POSTS

3 years ago

#29

The worlds foremost expert on Covid, the big Kahuna of expertise on Covid, the renowned savior of Covid, the advisor to the President and the world on Covid, the man who said you should wear two mask. . . Dr. Anthony Fauci has Covid.

Lotus Eater ViP

1965POSTS

3 years ago

#30

But with mild symptoms. Without the vaccine and given his age we could well have been reading his obituary

mahi948 Active member

40POSTS

3 years ago

#31

But with mild symptoms. Without the vaccine and given his age we could well have been reading his obituary
- @Lotus Eater

Sure sure . With out the vaccine he would have not got covid. 1 shot 2 shot 3 shot more .umm I got omicron ....but if I wasnt a vaccine pin cushion it would have been really really bad ....that's what in told to say ...broken record

Okieboy Serial expat

659POSTS

3 years ago

#32

@mahi948 when I went to immigration to do my annual report I had to show my vaccine card to go in

Enzyte Bob ViP

4294POSTS

3 years ago

#33

But with mild symptoms. Without the vaccine and given his age we could well have been reading his obituary
- @Lotus Eater

******************************************************

I wonder how many people contracted Covid going to, being in the vaccine center or from the Vaccine itself. Does mild symptoms sound like being a little bit pregnant?

mahi948 Active member

40POSTS

3 years ago

#34

A recent stateside news article was about the Governor of Pennsylvania getting Covid a second time even after a booster shot.

Myself having Covid and now having three vaxx's, I'm thinking it will never end. My covid was between the first and second vaxx. The third vaxx left me sick for a couple days.
- @Enzyte Bob

I probably got covid with zero vaccines in June 2020 I had a mild fever and a dry cough . I took tylonal for the fever and over the counter med for the cough . 7 days it's was over . Since then our friends we socialize with and are " fully" vaxxed had been out 3/4 days with omicron. Us nothing . Natural immunity with NO possibilities of side effects . Most people we know who are vaxxed haven't suffered " long term side effects " knock on wood . But we know 2 who where healthy and died after the Vaccines . It seems like a crap shot depending on the individual person . One I dont need to take and won't . I personally dont care if others want to take that risk. What bothers Me is being discriminated for not capitulating to geedy politicians and pharma coersion

mahi948 Active member

40POSTS

3 years ago

#35

"Sorry I just can't help myself : Ffffffrrrreeedddoooommmm"

Depends on your interpretation of the adjective Freedom. I don't live in the Philippines but from what I gather it's like living in an 'open prison'
The Philippine government is cack handed at best and monumentally incompetent at worst on just about everything it does. There has been no joined up thinking or national plan of action to implement the vaccine programme which has been delegated to local mayors and barangays. Whatever your views are on vaccines the country is not going to open up until the vast majoriry of Filipinos are vaccinated. Period.

The Philippines is a service based economy unlike many other ASEAN nations and will continue to be beggared by its neighbours economically if the country does not get its act together soon.
- @Lotus Eater covid has been a cash cow for the Philippine government. They will milk it to the bitter end. Kick backs on hotel quarantines and tests and stock in masks,$$$ ka ching . Not to mention pharma bribes .

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

3 years ago

#36

What a ridiculous statement. The Philippines is a poor country and has done the best they can to contain the pandemic with a limited set of tools in the toolbox. And done a pretty good job, with a death rate far lower than the US - per capita. About 10%. Meanwhile, the country has lost billions in tourist revenue, as have other Southeast Asian countries, and you think their goal is to prolong the pandemic to gain revenue kickbacks from hotel quarantines and masks? Or did I miss something?

Moon Dog Philippines Advisor

974POSTS

3 years ago

#37

The anti-vaccine people seem to follow the advice of politicians and social media. Pro-vaccine folks are more inclined to follow the advice of scientists and medical professionals. “You pays your money and you takes your chances”.

I worked in the reliability department of a refinery for many years and I messaged my counterpart after not hearing from him for a while. This is a snippet of our conversation after I asked if he was still at the refinery and I told him I moved to the Philippines:

Dan “Philippines that must be different in a good way. Yes I am still there but I have been out for the the 3.5 months due to covid. It got me really bad spent 2 months in the hospital then 16 days in a rehabilitation center learning to walk and getting stronger still working on getting stronger and building my stamina.”

Me “Wow, sorry to hear that. Hope you recover 100%! Were you vaccinated? Philippines is different, you would have to see it for yourself. I was able to build a big mansion house and everyone thinks I’m filthy rich and they call me sir everywhere I go.”

Dan “I am getting there kidneys failed beat that, heart failed beat that, was on ventilator, pneumonia 3 times, and a few other things. No I wasn't I went to a golf outing outside and got it there. A Mansion must be nice. Sir”

Dan was a healthy guy in his 50s and ran a 4 minute, 20 second mile when he was 40. He will probably have complications the rest of his life, a life that will likely be a little shorter now.

The husband of my wife’s 1st cousin who lived in Kansas City was an anti-vaxxer and wanted to show everyone that covid was a hoax, it was a ‘hold my beer’ sorta thing. They jumped in their car and drove to Disney World (Florida of all places!) almost a year ago. He died of covid 3 days after returning home, he was 50 years old, a civil engineer, a great guy and a father. He was the photographer at our wedding back in 2007.

manwonder ViP

1904POSTS

3 years ago

#38

Omo : Its best we tread lightly with our opinions/remarks with all the crazy stuff going on around the world & at its totally free so what do I have to loose?

We Just got our last batch of 4 kids vaccinated yesterday morning at our City Pubic Park which sits directly next to our barangay city health centre which unfortunately had been badly damaged by the s.typhoon odette & which is still under repair....So 3 of them aged 6 to 11 got their 1st Pfizer jab (better late than never) & the oldest a 13 yr old got her 2nd Pfizer jab....all 4 kids were innoculated and in/out of the portable tent in hardly 1.5hrs (super professional/friendly staff) hardly any crowd as there still remain many locals reluctant/sitting on the sidelines without taking their jabs even after so long.)

Its been >24hrs since the kids completed their jabs & non of them show any distress signs and now its time for me to buy their huge tub of ice cream which I had promised.

Enzyte Bob ViP

4294POSTS

3 years ago

#39

What a ridiculous statement. The Philippines is a poor country and has done the best they can to contain the pandemic with a limited set of tools in the toolbox. And done a pretty good job, with a death rate far lower than the US - per capita. About 10%. Meanwhile, the country has lost billions in tourist revenue, as have other Southeast Asian countries, and you think their goal is to prolong the pandemic to gain revenue kickbacks from hotel quarantines and masks? Or did I miss something?
- @pnwcyclist

************************************************************************

One underling fact so disregarded. . . .The US imported Covid with an extraordinary amount of worldly visitors. Spreading the infection exponentially. The genie was out of the bottle. The Philippines did the best they could under their circumstances. Comparing death rates seems logical but it is not a correct conclusion.

Somebody always seems to profit from disasters, the Philippines is mired down in red tape, has been, is and always will be. So an interpretation and comparing of red tape to a profiteering government can be debated from both sides.