ILOILO – To boost public trust and confidence in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, some mayors here are willing to be the first to roll up their sleeves for a shot.
“I’m willing to be injected as long as credible ang bakuna,” said San Enrique town’s Mayor Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez, chairperson of the League of Municipalities – Iloilo chapter.
She also told Panay News her local government allotted P1 million to procure anti-coronavirus shots. The priorities for vaccination are the senior citizens, persons with comorbidities and vulnerable sectors.
Last week, the provincial government secured 270,000 doses of AZD1222 Vaccine through a tripartite agreement with British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca and the national government. These are expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2021.
There are, however, people unwilling to get inoculated mainly due to concerns on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Mayor Raul Banias of Concepcion.
Banias, a physician, said the best way to convince Ilonggos to get immunized is for public officials to lead by example.
“Ready ako magpabakuna,” Banias told Panay News.
The municipal government of Concepcion earmarked P3 million for COVID-19 vaccines. Banias said he is waiting for Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s go-signal for local government units (LGUs) procure their own vaccines.
Ajuy’s Mayor Jett Rojas echoed Banias’ sentiments.
“Ready gid ako basta effective and safe nga klasi sang COVID-19 vaccine,” Rojas told Panay News.
The Ajuy LGU allocated P10 million for COVID-19 vaccines.
Rojas wanted at least 5,000 residents of Ajuy to receive shots.
It would be free for healthcare workers, the town’s vulnerable sector like senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, he said.
Mayor Laurence Anthony “Luigi” Gorriceta of Pavia town is also willing to be inoculated first.
“Willing man ako. Naka-budget na kami since July last year – nagtigana na ako P5 million para sa vaccines,” said Gorriceta.
Governor Defensor was the first official in province to declare willingness to get the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
“Indi ako mag-vaccinate sa probinsya kun indi mismo matuslok sa lawas ko,” Defensor stressed.
Defensor underscored the importance of education campaign that will explain the purpose, benefits, and risks of vaccination against the viral illness.
To help the public make an informed decision, Defensor mandated the Provincial Health Office to embark on a massive education campaign.
“The best strategy is mapa-intindi mo ang tawo para magpasugot sila,” Defensor said.
While waiting for the arrival of the vaccines, the provincial government, according to Defensor, is developing a vaccination road map.
Among the priorities for inoculation are healthcare workers such as those in provincial government-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.
Defensor said cold storage facilities for the vaccines will be installed at the Iloilo Sports Complex and district hospitals.
He will also summon all of the local chief executives in the province for a series of discussions on the vaccine rollout./PN
