ILOILO – Economic frontliners (A4 priority group) in this province will receive their jabs against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has given the go signal, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
“Isa na kita sa mga LGUs (local government units) nga gina-allow to vaccinate the A4 category,” Defensor announced, citing the still rising coronavirus cases here.
How soon?
Defensor said it’s up to the 43 LGUs of Iloilo.
However, the governor said it is better to commence with the inoculation now, especially in LGUs with the highest COVID-19 cases, and those near Iloilo City.
Defensor cited the towns of Oton, Pavia and Santa Barbara for instance.
“Almost all the time ang transmission halin sa sagwa, halin sa olobrahan kag nagapauli kag nagalapta sa balay,” he added.
Earlier in June, the provincial government considered a targeted vaccination in five towns with the most number of COVID-19 infections – Oton, Guimbal, Pavia, Leganes, and Santa Barbara.
Defensor suggested vaccinating the towns’ A4 priority group first as these individuals are the ones moving around because of their jobs.
The governor believed vulnerable persons like senior citizens and persons with comorbidities in the household would be protected.
Defensor cited a report from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) that the 21 to 40 years old age group has been commonly hit by the coronavirus.
Currently, this province is inoculating its A1 (healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) priority populations.
STEADY SUPPLY
Defensor also said some 14,000 doses of the China-made CoronaVac vaccines from the national government will arrive this week.
“Sige na ina… because of our situation here we are one of the LGUs nga every two weeks na ang delivery nga gina-expect naton,” he added.
Earlier, Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III of the Department of Interior and Local Government assured Western Visayas of bigger volume of anti-coronavirus shots.
The government is expecting at least 11 million vaccine doses this July. The biggest chunk would be distributed to regions 6, 10, 11, and 12, Densing said.
Iloilo is under modified enhanced community quarantine until July 15.
As of July 7, it recorded 13,337 total confirmed COVID cases – 2,976 active, 10,031 recovered and 330 deaths.
The province is also logging 112 average daily cases this month./PN
