Syempre, at first I was a bit apprehensive. I don't know how the LGU will treat sensitive personal information (i.e. HIV status). But what the heck. I don't want to die of COVID, and I don't want to pass it on to my household members.
So I went to a vaccination center at Manila LGU. 7:30 AM para una sa pila. I think they also limit their inoculation to 300 for that day (parang narinig ko sa isang bantay). For Manila, they require any of these documents as proof of co-morbidity: medical certificate, recent prescription of your maintenance medicine, medical abstract / hospital discharge notes. Other LGUs have other guidelines. Like forPasig, they require a medical clearance from a doctor.
I brought several documents to be sure:
1. HIV confirmatory (mine was coded though, could be an issue)
2. Prescription of my ARV (mine was old, 2018. Dapat past 18 months lang)
3. CT Scan result with a note that I have HIV as history.
4. Lab results for my past opportunistic infections (Crypto and PCP).
So, this is what happened at the vaccination center in Manila.
Step 1: You'll enter the school. They'll ask what your co-morbidity is.
I showed Document Number 3. Di ko binibigkas yun HIV. Tinuturo ko yun HIV sa papeles na dala ko para di marinig ng katabi ko. Di naman doctor yun sa first screening. I doubt it she understands everything that's written in the document.
Step 2. Queue to take the BP. They'll ask your co-morbidity again. So, di ko pa rin binigkas. Tinuro ko yun HIV sa document na dala ko. Deadma lang sya. Then she gave me this white form to fill-up at isusubmit sa next step.
Step 3. Queue for another registration. They'll scan your pre-registration QR code and waiver. Doktor na ang nagsscreen dito. He asked me again what's my co-morbidity. Again, di ko binibigkas, pinakita ko yun HIV na sinulat ko sa white form. Yun katabi nyang assistant, isusulat yun details mo sa isang logsheet. She asked the doctor ano daw co-morbidity ko at sinulat yun sa form. Buti sensitive si doctor. He discreetly said HIV in a very low tone. Then ito na conversation namin ni Doc:
Doc: Cleared ka ba ng doctor mo?
Me: Yes (kahit di naman ako talaga nagconsult sa doctor ko. Wala naman sa guidelines ng Manila na dapat may clearance)
Doc: Ano CD4 mo?
Me: 250 (pero di ko sinabi na 10 months ago pa yun).
Doc: Kaya mo na ba? Kaya mo ha? Baka mag react eh.
Me: Yes!
For me, the doctor's comments were unnecessary. If I haven't done my research, I would be worried to continue with my vaccination. Based on what I've read, COVID vaccine is safe and should be given to PLHIV regardless of CD4. Yun lang nga, the higher the CD4, the better. Kasi pag mababa ang CD4 mo, the published efficacy rate might not be applicable for your case. Mas mababa ang efficacy rate sayo. But that doesn't make the vaccine more harmful to you.
Step 4: Queue for the actual jab.
Just show your QR code. They'll scan it. Then babakunahan ka na. No need to disclose your HIV status here. May photo op dito. Maraming nagpapapicture, para ma post sa FB nila! Pwede mo rin tawagain si ate health worker na nakaputi sa picture para kunan ka ng picture. hahaha! Then lalagyan ka ng epal band-aid na may "I love Manila, VACCINATED", para pwede mo na agad gamitin sa photo op mo. Buti na lang di mukha ni yorme ang naka-drawing sa band-aid. haha!
Step 5: Go to the waiting area for observation.
Bibigay mo yun white form na binigay sa Step 1. Yun form na ito, nakalagay na HIV ang status mo. Another disclosure needed. Then papaupuin ka for 15 min. After 15 min, using the white form na binigay mo, tatawagin ka at sasabihin pwede ka na umuwi. Syempre nakita uli nung nagbabasa na HIV ang co-morbidity mo. Pero deadma lang sya.
Then, it's done. I'm now vaccinated with my first dose of Sinovac! See you again after 28 days. Syempre naki photo-op na rin ako. Pero sa bahay na. lol
Any side effects? I observed some minor ones. Parang medyo nahilo ako ng konti lang naman. Though baka psychological lang ito. Then, medyo sumakit yun ulo after 1-2 hours. Again minor lang. Medyo mabigat rin yun vaccine sa braso. Same feeling ng hepa vaccine.
There you go... That's my COVID vaccine experience at Manila LGU. Yes, may disclosure ng HIV status na mangyayari, Pero medyo discreet naman. I just hope they protect the sensitive info na nilagay sa mga manual forms, at di lang basta ikalat kalat. The good thing is I'm now protected from severe COVID, and there's less risk of passing the virus to other people. Looking forward to my next jab.
