SAN JOSE, Antique – The provincial government of Antique yesterday started vaccinating against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) the poor or the A5 group in the vaccine prioritization framework of the Department of Health (DOH).
If seniors citizens (A2) refuse to be vaccinated, it is better to start inoculating the willing A5 people, said Dr. Leoncio Abiera Jr., of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
“We have been waiting quite long for senior citizens to avail themselves of the COVID-19 vaccination,” according to Abiera during the virtual meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday.
A master list submitted by rural health units (RHUs) to the IPHO showed 9,766 eligible A5 population in the province as of Aug. 30.
Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, who presided the task force meeting, said mayors should encourage their senior citizens to have themselves inoculated for protection.
“If you can, provide incentives to encourage them to avail themselves of the vaccines,” she said, adding that her office will provide those 75 years old and above a tin can of biscuits as incentive.
As of Aug. 30, Abiera said, 18,034 seniors have been vaccinated out of the target 50,783. (PNA)
