Occidental Mindoro appeals for additional COVID-19 vaccines

The provincial government of Occidental Mindoro is appealing to the national government for an additional supply of vaccines against COVID-19.

According to provincial health officer Dr. Ma. Teresa Tan, there is not enough vaccine coming to their province even though it is regularly delivered by the national government.

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At present, he said, vaccination of A3 or persons with comorbidities in Occidental Mindoro is just beginning, while up to A5 or indigent population are allowed to be vaccinated.

Many also want to be vaccinated but cannot be given due to lack of supply, Tan said.

“Hindi pa kasi covered lahat, or inadequate pa ang coverage sa senior… ‘Yong mga work force kasi natin, nanghihingi na sila ng vaccinations,” said Tan.

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As of June 25, 5,597 people have been given 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Occidental Mindoro, while 16,306 first doses have been injected.

The province has 184 active COVID-19 cases.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. previously said it would increase the supply of vaccines shipped to areas with high COVID-19 cases.

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The task force focused on the country’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response plans to allocate the portion of the supply reserved for Metro Manila to provinces, cities, and towns with a surge of COVID-19.

Occidental Mindoro appeals for additional COVID-19 vaccines

“The cases, the transmission, is slowing down, and therefore it would give us more comfort to redeploy the vaccines – some of which have been allocated for NCR (National Capital Region),” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

It will be recalled that Metro Manila is said to be a “low risk” area.

Vaccines will be allocated to the “Plus 10” regions of Cagayan De Oro, Bacolod, Baguio, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Naga, Legazpi,  City – which are also centers of economic activity.

The supply of vaccines will also increase in Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga Region, and Bangsamoro due to the rising COVID-19 infectious.

According to data from the government, more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been injected in the Philippines.

More than 2.5 million individuals have been fully vaccinated or received 2 doses, while more than 7.5 million have been injected with the first dose.

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