Region 1 starts COVID-19 vaccinations
By Joanne Namnama P. Dilim
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Mar. 5 (PIA) — Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program has been rolled out in Region 1 after the Department of Health – Ilocos Center for Health Development (DOH CHD1) distributed 8,190 doses of vaccines to eight COVID-19 referral hospitals in the region today.
The distribution was held a day after the arrival of the 14,400 doses of Sinovac vaccines to Region 1 on Thursday afternoon.
Medical Officer IV Rheuel Bobis, COVID-19 focal person of the DOH CHD1, said 4,095 of the 7,097 eligible health care workers in the region signified their willingness to be vaccinated.
“Sa survey na isinagawa ng ating mga ospital, 51 percent lamang po ang mga willing magpabakuna ng COVID-19. Kaya sa ngayon kalahati lamang po ng mga bakuna ang na-distribute natin at if ever na mangangailangan pa ng additional na bakuna ang ating mga ospital ay maari po nating iprovide ito sa kanila as soon as possible,” Bobis said.
Following today’s distribution, Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City and Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital – Gabriela Silang in Vigan City have launched the vaccination among their employees.
“Sa La Union, ang Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center at La Union Medical Center ay magkakaroon ng ceremonial launching ng pagbabakuna sa March 6 at sa Ilocos Norte po sa March 6 din po,” said Bobis.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is also expected to grace a ceremonial launching in the province of Pangasinan.
“Sa R1MC, gaganapin po sa Lunes or Tuesday upon the availability ng ating Secretary,” he informed.
Meanwhile, Bobis urged all qualified vaccinees to take advantage of the Sinovac vaccines.
“Suportahan po natin ang pagbabakuna na ito. Nakakasigurado po kayo na ang gagamitin ng DOH ay FDA-approved na vaccine na napag-aralan ang effectiveness at usage, so wala po tayong dapat ikatakot,” he said. (JCR/AMB/JPD, PIA La Union)
