Almost all city health workers jabbed with first dose of Covid-19 vaccine
24 March 2021 – So far, the city’s vaccination roll-out has been going as planned with a total of 6,020 of the Summer Capital’s 9,053 frontline health workers having been inoculated with the first dose of anti-coronavirus 2019 vaccine as of March 21 this year.
This was revealed by City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo in Tuesday’s regular management committee meeting of local officials headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong at Baguio Convention Center.
She said the number represents 66.50 percent total coverage rate of the city’s priority A1 eligible population, the highest in the Cordillera region.
The remaining 3,045 health workers from private clinics, diagnostic centers and barangay health emergency response teams will receive their jabs in the next few days, Galpo said.
On the allocation and utilization of vaccines, she said 4,101 of the 4,405 Coronovac doses the city received has been used as of March 21 or a utilization rate of 93.10 percent while 1,919 of the 4,930 Astrazeneca vaccines have been jabbed on eligible individuals resulting in a 38.92 percent utilization rate.
Under the city’s covid-19 prioritization framework, workers from in frontline health services are priority A1 followed by all senior citizens (A2); persons with comorbidities (A3); frontline personnel in essential sectors including uniformed personnel (A4); and indigent population at priority A5.
Teachers and social workers are priority B1; other government workers (B2); other essential workers (B3); socio-demographic groups at significantly higher risk other than senior citizens and the poor (B4); overseas Filipino workers (B5); other remaining workforce (B6); and rest of the Filipino population not included in the aforementioned groups at priority C.
With an estimated population of 378,532 Galpo said Baguio’s eligible population for vaccination, those 18 years old and above, is around 238,494 or 63 percent.
Galpo pointed out that with a target herd immunity of 80 percent of the eligible population, this would tally to 190,796. With each patient needing two doses, the number of vaccines needed amounts to 381,592.
“The current covid-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe disease and death and are most suited for those with higher risk of exposure and death. The benefits of being vaccinated far outweighs the risks of adverse effects, if any,” she stressed.
Baguio utilizes several hospitals as vaccination sites including Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart, Baguio Medical Center, Pines City Doctors Hospital, Notre Dame De Chartres Hospital and Philippine Military Academy Station Hospital
Meanwhile, the city’s field vaccination sites are the University of Baguio and SLU gymnasiums; Baguio City National High School; and St. Louis Center (Campo Filipino). – Gaby B. Keith
