A doctor from UST was among the first to receive a vaccine for Covid-19 in the United States.
Dr. Ricarchito Manera, a Chicago-based pediatric hematologist-oncologist, was part of the team of medical workers from the Advocate Children’s Hospital in Illinois that participated in Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine trial.
Manera earned his degree in medicine at UST in 1984.
As a medical professional, Manera said he wanted to get vaccinated not only to protect himself but also his friends, family and his patients.
“As we take care of kids with cancer whose immunity is compromised, we were lucky to be among the first health care team members to get the Covid vaccine,” Manera told the Varsitarian.
Pfizer vaccines are given in two doses. Manera received the first shot on Dec. 19 last year and the second shot last Jan. 9.
“It went well, did not hurt and I only experienced mild muscle soreness,” he said.
“I am feeling fine and feeling so blessed that I am fully immunized and protected. Of course we still have to wear masks and face shields as well as do social distancing so as not to infect other unimmunized individuals.”
Manera cited the importance of vaccines in controlling infections, especially during a health crisis.
“[Vaccinating] as many people as possible is essential to control infection, decrease its transmission and eventually the development of herd immunity.” he said.
Herd immunity happens when a population becomes immune to a disease once a certain threshold number of the people is vaccinated, according to the World Health Organization.
The vaccination program Manera participated in had 73,000 participants. Of the number, 43,000 took part in the Pfizer trial while 30,000 were inoculated with the Moderna vaccine.
“[T]hose who later on had severe Covid infections were from the placebo group, showing that the vaccine is effective, protective and safe,” he said.
“Hopefully the vaccines will soon come out in the Philippines.”
The Philippines’ vaccination program is expected to begin in February 2020. So far, only Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines have been approved for emergency use in the country. Jade Veronique V. Yap
