Pinoy nurse among first to be vaccinated in UK

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino nurse who got infected with COVID-19 in the line of duty was among the first to be given the vaccine of Pfizer-BioNtech in the United Kingdom last week.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s OneNews Friday night, Leo Quijano said he has been working as a nurse in the southern part of England for almost two decades.

Quijano specializes in kidney ailments, including dialysis. In June, he tested positive for the virus.

“I was not intubated. The effect of COVID-19 was on my chest but I did not have shortness of breath,” he noted.

But the nurse was kept in the hospital because his blood became “abnormal,” making him prone to heart attack.

“I was positive but I am still alive …There are many Filipino frontliners who got infected with COVID-19, especially during the first few months of the pandemic,” he added.

As a former COVID-19 patient, he “looked forward” to getting vaccinated against the disease. He registered for vaccination and got accepted.

On Dec. 9, he went to a vaccination center where he underwent assessment for history of allergy, underlying illnesses and current mediation, among others.

After the screening procedures, Quijano was administered the vaccine by his best friend, also a Filipino nurse.

“It was a painless injection. I waited for 10 minutes for any side effects… and then I went to work,” he said.

When he woke up the following day, he recalled there was “slight heaviness on the injection site.” As days passed, he experienced slight weakness and flu.

Quijano did not mind these side effects, underscoring that these are normal in any vaccine.

The nurse is still observing himself for possible side effects but he is set to receive the second dose 21 days after his first shot.

While many people have been waiting for a vaccine, he claimed there are others who are still “reluctant and anxious” about receiving it.

“We need to encourage everyone (to be vaccinated), especially coming from me. I am a survivor and I was really looking forward to this vaccine,” he added.

Quijano underscored that even after getting vaccinated, it is still important to strictly observe health protocols, such as hand washing, physical distancing and wearing of masks.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said it is hopeful that Filipino health workers will be among the priorities for COVID-19 vaccination in the United Kingdom.

POEA administrator Bernard Olalia said it is “very important” that Filipino health workers get utmost priority because they are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19.

Olalia said the agencies that deployed the frontliners should make sure they monitor their recruits to ensure their health and welfare.

“We are closely watching these agencies to make sure that they give appropriate assistance to the needs of the migrant Filipino workers that they deployed,” he said.

The official added that the United Kingdom is the second biggest destination of Filipino medical workers. First is Saudi Arabia and third is Germany.

Olalia said POEA is in close coordination with the labor attachés assigned in these countries so they can readily to attend to the needs of Filipinos, especially in this time of pandemic.

Last Dec. 8, United Kingdom started vaccinating against COVID-19 using the vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNtech.

The first person to be immunized was 90-year-old Margaret Keenan and she received the vaccine from Filipino nurse May Parsons.