I don't feel well during the last few days particularly during the weekend. Aside from headaches, I was vomiting last Saturday, and somehow, deep breathing helped to feel better.

What caused the headache is the experience we had last Friday. My sister in law called me last Thursday to go to the vaccination site early Friday because the vaccines are limited. It's a "first come, first serve" basis so we took this opportunity to get the vaccine with my wife, brother, sister, and sister-in-law.

I set the alarm 5:20AM for Friday, and I told my wife that we're going to walk to the vaccination site. How difficult it is to wake up at such time because of the chilly weather but my brother knocked on the door, and told us that our older brother will fetch us so we rushed to prepare ourselves. No breakfast, no bathing. Just a wash on the face, brush of our teeth.

We arrived at the vaccination site before 6am, and the line seems long already. Probably, we will start at #125 but the vaccine allocated for the barangay (village) is 200. Hence, we're expecting to receive the vaccine that day. Gladly, there are chairs prepared for those availing of the vaccines.

Around 7am, nothing's happening. Instead of receiving our number slot card, the security guard tasked to take charge of the crowd did nothing. After a while, a woman approached him complaining why her slot was gone, when in fact, she's late. The crowd from our area protested of her lie, and that she's using her connection with the security guard. As I observed, I had a feeling that things will not go well.

It's already 8am, and we're still waiting for the number slot card. Ten minutes before 9:00, the security guard finally started to give the cards without proper distribution. Early comers are complaining why he's giving the cards to new comers, and the chaos is about to start. He left, and went back with cops and soldiers to control the crowd. The improper handling went on causing more complaints from the crowd.

Finally, the health workers came in, and announced that the priority would be the senior citizens (or those above the age of 60). Okay, we get it. These elderlies are more deserving than us, who are younger but with comorbidities. Everyone in the site are uncertain to get the vaccine, and the confusion escalated when the health workers announced that the number system will not be considered.

Still unsure if we're about to get the vaccines, and at noontime, no one from those individuals with comorbidities received the vaccine yet. New arrangements for the three villages was made, and we're transferred to the warm area. No fan, and despite being an open court, the large crowd contributed to the high temperature.

The health workers had their lunch break, while only a few left the site. We're waiting until we get the vaccine. No lunch (we don't mind), we just want to get our slot. Our breakfast is just a single burger, and a bottle of water helped to rehydrate (but not enough).

The health workers came back at 1pm, and new announcement was made. There's a list from the village with names of those who availed to get listed for the vaccine. So it means the early birds might not receive the vaccine. I am losing hope but my sister-in-law, who's a doctor, kept asking for updates and encouraged us to be patient. There are cases days prior by which some individuals waited patiently, and got the shot. So okay, it ignited my hope that we will get the vaccine.

People around has been complaining that they went to the site early to get the vaccine because of the "first come, first serve" basis as announced at the Facebook page of our town. The commotion is about to start again between the crowd and the health workers. An annoyed health worker shouted "you're creating a trouble!" by which the crowd responded in unison "you are the one creating the trouble". Funny how the crowd laughed for their same reactions.

The health workers changed the arrangement again. Individuals who will receive the vaccine are those who has the number and names listed. So we are losing hope again to get the vaccine. My older brother came to the site along with my younger brother. They told us to patiently wait.

While waiting, "palakasan system" is very obvious with a man (working for the mayor) distributing the forms to people he is affiliated (connected) with. My wife and my sister tried to ask for the forms but they're not given. Vaccination to some individuals are ongoing that time after their number slots and names are called.

It's already 3pm, I was very tired waiting, and my headache is worsening. The lack of oxygen while wearing the face mask, and hunger could've been the factors. At about 3:45pm, the health worker announced that they ran out of vaccines. Majority of those in the site are disappointed. One of those at the site, and happened to be an acquaintance, told me that they arrived to the site at 5am. He also noticed that the numbering started at 71 when the card was distributed. So what happened to the 70 vaccines? A source said that there are individuals who are secretly vaccinated in an enclosed and air-conditioned area. Oh, the privileged ones!

We have no choice but to go home. The only consolation we had is my sister-in-law received the vaccine because her address in on ID is from the other village scheduled that day. At home, my wife has been vomiting a number of times because of migraine probably caused by the long wait, and hunger. The next day, I had headaches, and nausea too.

What happened is a manifestation of poor implementation of the guidelines, as well as being disorganized and improper handling of the crowd. The health worker handling the mic told the crowd "then you are going to post it on Facebook, it will bring a shame to our town!" Sounds like a threat not to bring the attention of netizens on what happened. In fact, it is an embarrassment towards the people rather to the local government. As of now, we're still waiting for the next schedule of vaccination.

Thanks...

I'll take this an opportunity to thank Ate @Bloghound and @Jaytee for the sponsorship.