Vaccination Gone Wrong

Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine? It's been two years since the pandemic began, and in the Philippines, the so-called herd immunity has yet to be attained. For various reasons, it appears that many people are still resolute about not having the vaccine. My father, for example, is adamant about not taking the vaccine because, in addition to having medication allergies, he does not want to be injected with actual coronavirus - even if it is a dead virus or just the DNA

I, on the other hand, had been wanting to get vaccinated for a long time because I frequently travel to the city, and the last time I was there, there was a certain mall where unvaccinated persons were not permitted to get inside. I'd like to get the vaccine to reduce my risk of being ill.

In the area where I live, it appears that getting the vaccine is taking a long time. There are numerous processes. We must first wait for the barangay health workers assigned to our neighborhood to arrive and give them our names so that we can be put on the list. However, it has been a month since I enquired, and no health personnel has come to our house to ask for our names. So I asked a friend who works at the barangay hall, and she advised me to go straight to the barangay health center to have my name added to the list. Then I'd have to wait a few weeks for them to give me my schedule. A month has passed and still no news from the barangay.

One day, my colleague told me that I can just get a vaccine from their city since they also accept walk-ins as long as I tell them that I live in one of the barangays in that city. She gave me her complete residential address, which I was supposed to present at the screening. I told her I'd give that a try, though I was apprehensive because I'm not used to lying, even if it's a white lie.

It's just a nearby city, so I tried to go there and went straight into the gymnasium where vaccinations were being administered. That day, the inside of the gymnasium looked like this. There are a lot of people, and it seems that getting my vaccination that day will be impossible.

I asked the people who are arrived first where I should proceed as soon as I went inside. They told me to go be 'screened' first so I went there. I was asked for my identification card so I presented my license issued by the Professional Regulation Commission. They demanded a different ID, but because I am from a different town, I informed the lady that I did not have any other identification. She informed me that I would be unable to receive a vaccine if I do not reside in the city. In comparison to recent weeks, when people who came from a different town could receive a vaccine from that city, it appears that they are already rigorous.

Here's our non verbatim:

Screener: (With a straight and unfriendly face, gave me a sheet of paper) Fill up this form. (In a serious tone)

Me: (Got the pen inside my bag) Okay ma'am.

Screener: Where's your ID?

Me: (Gave her my PRC ID) Here ma'am.

Screener: Don't you have any other IDs? I can't let you proceed with the screening if you can't present to me an ID that has your address.

Me: Sorry, that's the only ID I have.

Screener: How about a driver's license?

Me: I don't have one. I don't even know how to drive (With a face like this: 😅)

Screener: Okay then, what's your address?

Me: (Suddenly became nervous and forgot the address that my colleague told me.) Ah... Ahmm. Wait hehehe...

(I reached for my phone inside my bag and scrolled on my messenger... After a few seconds..)

In Barangay Tinampo, Sitio Tibangray (In a very low voice. it's obvious that it''s not true hahaha)

Screener: Where exactly in Tinampo?

Me: Ah... Uh.. Ahm..

Screener: Sorry miss, but if you can't present an ID, I can't let you proceed. Just come back when you have an ID with an address already. (In a stern looking face) Okay you may leave this place.

Me: Okay sure. I'll be back. Uh.. Can I have that form please? (I'm afraid that they would talk behind my back once I leave the place lol)

And that's another entry for the most embarrassing moment of my life. I exited the place with grace, good thing that I am wearing a face mask and a face shield so people won't recognize me.

I was still worried though that they might look me up, so the neurotic in me who loves to overthink, immediately deactivated my Facebook account right after I left the place.

But don't worry I am now fully vaccinated. The story will be in my next article.