Iloilo province begins COVID inoculation in island villages

The Iloilo provincial government will roll out its COVID-19 inoculation program to island barangays to address low vaccination turnout in remote villages.

Dr. Quiñon said they will go to the island barangays of Carles to vaccinate at least 12,500 residents from Nov 15 to 21, 2021.

The municipality of Carles ranked second among the local government units with the lowest immunization rates, having inoculated only 28 percent of its population.

Of the 33 barangays in Carles, 18 are located in the islands. Fifty five percent (55%) of the 50,995 eligible population are island residents.

The vaccination rollout among island villages is part of the Bulig Bakuna sa Barangay Program of the provincial government which aims to make the COVID-19 vaccines more accessible to residents.

Other towns with the lowest vaccination turnout are Estancia, San Enrique, Tigbauan, Maasin, Ajuy, San Rafael, Calinog, San Dionisio, and Igbaras.

As of Nov 7, a total of 394,937 (27%) individuals have been fully vaccinated while 560,896 (39%) received their first COVID-19 jab.

The province targets to inoculate 1,448,757 individuals to reach herd immunity.

The province is also recruiting 1,092 medical staff (156 medical officers, 312 nurses, and 624 nursing attendants) for additional vaccination teams.

Meanwhile, a total of 60 minors received their first jab of COVID-19 vaccine on Nov 5, 2021 as the Iloilo provincial government launched its pediatric vaccination against the deadly virus.

The kickoff activity was held at Aleosan District Hospital in the municipality of Alimodian, according to a Capitol press release.

It was attended by Department of Health (DOH)-6 Regional Director Adriano P. Suba-an, Provincial Administrator Atty. Suzette Mamon, Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon, Hospital Management Office head Dr. Paz Calopiz, and chiefs of hospitals.

Quiñon said no adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) were recorded.

“Everyone’s excited. They were nervous at first, but after, they were happy showing off their vaccination card and taking pictures with the backdrop,” she said.

Quiñon said all rural health units (RHUs) and hospitals can now roll out the pediatric vaccination province-wide.

The provincial government targets to vaccinate 227,662 children aged 12-17 years. Only those who pre-registered will be accommodated.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said there is enough supply of vaccines to inoculate the minors.

“The vaccination of our minors comes with the sufficiency of our vaccines. We have extra vaccines especially that the national government is increasing our allocation,” he said.

The provincial government is expecting 51,120 doses of Sinovac, 20,000 Gamaleya, and 10,140 vials of Pfizer.

The governor also continues to appeal to senior citizens and those with comorbidities to have themselves vaccinated.

“If we want our Christmas to be merry and we can do the things we want during Christmas, then we should get vaccinated,” Defensor said.