Oro seniors told: Undergo checkup prior to vaccination

CAGAYAN de Oro City’s senior citizens with comorbidities are advised to undergo a checkup and secure medical clearance first prior to their scheduled vaccination, city health officials said today.

“If they don’t have their own doctors the seniors can resort to teleconsultation with the city-owned JR Borja General Hospital or Northern Mindanao Medical Center and private hospitals. If they cannot do that, they can head to their nearest barangay health center to ask for doctors who can examine them and issue clearance prior to their vaccination,” acting City Health Officer Dr. Lorraine Nery said during Wednesday noon’s City Hall press briefing.

Dr. Nery said this after a senior resident of Barangay Agusan named Zoilo Joaquin Borcillo died after receiving his first vaccine dose Wednesday morning. City Health Insurance Office (CHIO) chief Dr. William Bernardo said Borcillo disclosed in his pre-registration that he had comorbidities.

“He had slightly elevated blood pressure but within the guidelines set by the Department of Health. He also had maintenance medicines (including for hypertension),” Dr. Bernardo said.

He said the patient was ambulatory and the vaccination went without incident but nine minutes later during post-observation, Borcillo found it difficult to breathe.

“He was examined by doctors and then rushed to JR Borja General Hospital accompanied by his son along with DOH doctors. Sadly he was pronounced dead on arrival,” Dr. Bernardo said. Mayor Oscar Moreno said an investigation is ongoing but the vaccination will continue.

“We are still verifying reports that Borcillo had open-heart surgery. That’s why we are advising senior citizens to undergo a medical examination and secure medical clearance prior to their vaccination schedule. It’s difficult to conduct a comprehensive checkup on the vaccination site because it will only delay the vaccination of others. What’s done on-site is assessment and pre-counseling and signing of the health declaration form. Seniors should be honest and fully disclose their medical history,” Dr. Nery said.

City Health Office resident epidemiologist Dr. Teodulfo Joselito Retuya Jr. echoed Dr. Nery’s reminder, saying that the vaccines are still classified as for emergency use authorization and thus are still under further studies by both the global medical community and their manufacturers.

“Seniors should fully disclose their medical history during a checkup and in securing their clearance because it is expected that they will have comorbidities,” he said.

Moreno said he expects that the DOH will look into the case but based on reports that he received, protocols and procedures were complied with by the vaccination teams.

“Yes the incident may have a possible deterrent (in terms of public sentiment) but I hope the people realize that they need to be protected from the virus and the only way for them to be protected (aside from complying with minimum public health standards) is to be vaccinated,” Moreno said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)