Three health workers in Western Visayas experienced “minor side effects” after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech, according to the Department of Health (DOH-6).

In a radio interview, DOH-6 spokesperson Dr. Mary Jane Juanico said the three are among the 660 health workers in the region who were inoculated with their first dose of CoronaVac from March 5 to 9.

“We have two from West Visayas State University Medical Center [in Iloilo City] and one from Dr. Pablo O Torre Memorial Hospital [in Bacolod City],” she noted.

The three health workers experienced rashes or itchiness, tingling in lips, and slight breathing discomfort.

“There’s nothing to worry about because they were already discharged and are in good condition,” said Juanico.

At least 16,000 doses of vaccines against the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 arrived in Western Visayas on March 5. They were distributed to COVID-19 referral hospitals across the region.IMT