ILOILO – Equitably and safely vaccinating Ilonggos is the focus of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine Deployment and Immunization Plan 2021-2022 or COVAC PLAN 21-22.
Conceptualized in mid-January, Defensor unveiled the 46-page vaccination master plan which would be implemented in the province’s 42 towns and one component city.
“Amo ini ang plano naton for Iloilo’s vaccination program,” Defensor said.
COVAC PLAN 21-22 – developed together with other provincial government officials – is based on the framework set by the Department of Health (DOH).
It includes a master list of priority eligible vaccine population; identification of possible vaccine centers, available cold chain storages, and other logistical requirements; and a master list of existing human resources and personnel needed in the vaccination program.
“This is a complete plan. May activity and may timeline kon when matabo,” explained Defensor.
Some measures in the plan, he said, were already implemented such as the vaccine procurement and the training of vaccinators.
In early December, the provincial government secured 270,000 doses of AZD1222 Vaccine through a tripartite agreement with British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca and the national government.
Administered by intramuscular injection, AZD1222 has an average efficacy of 70 percent. It uses as a vector a modified chimpanzee adenovirus.
INITIAL TARGET
According to Defensor, the vaccines are expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2021.
The provincial government allotted an initial budget of P95 million for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
To be prioritized are healthcare workers such as those in capitol-run health facilities, local government unit contact tracers, barangay workers including members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams, barangay nutrition scholars, and barangay tanods, among others.
Apart from frontliners, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities would also be the first to be vaccinated.
Cold storage facilities are ready to be installed at the Iloilo Sports Complex and district hospitals, Defensor said.
He ordered local government units (LGUs) to send for vaccination training two medical workers, either nurses or medical technologists employed in Rural Health Units.
CHECKLIST
The Department of Interior and Local Government required LGUs to get an approved vaccine plan before they can receive their share of vaccine doses from the national government stockpile.
The checklist includes the following:
* preparation of information campaigns to encourage vaccinations
* preparation of a master list of priority individuals in compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines
* identification of possible vaccine centers with cold storage facilities and other logistical equipment
* preparation of a master list of human resources and personnel needed in the vaccination program, like doctors, barangay health workers, and other medical personnel
* attendance of health personnel in vaccination training programs via the DOH website at learn.doh.gov.ph
* reorganization of emergency operations centers to include a dedicated arm for vaccination concerns
* preparation of barangay personnel and volunteers to assist the vaccination program
Following these would ensure that vaccines are not put to waste as they would be properly transported, stored and administered, said Defensor./PN
