KALIBO, Aklan – Healthcare workers at the Aklan provincial hospital are the top priority to receive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines from the Department of Health (DOH).
Aklan has been allocated some 900 doses of Sinovac vaccines donated by the Chinese government to the Philippines.
The Provincial Health Office will begin the inoculation today until March 12 at the Gov. Augusto B. Legaspi Sports and Cultural Center here.
The vaccines are recommended for the 18-59-year-old bracket based on Resolution No. 5 of the Interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group for COVID-19 vaccines.
Gov. Florencio Miraflores said a simulation exercise for vaccination roll out was conducted on March 8 to determine the readiness of the two vaccination teams and volunteers.
The step-by-step vaccination process included registration, counseling, screening and assessment, vaccination and post-vaccination management and monitoring.
“Ang mga doctors sa mga rural health units will observe the actual vaccination process this week in preparation for the vaccine rollout in 17 towns of Aklan. Vaccination will be done for the rest of the year until we achieve herd immunity,” said Miraflores.
Prior to arrival of vaccines, healthcare employees of the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) filled out health screening forms online with specific questions on their health conditions.
It was learned that some health care professionals are not ready to get the vaccines against the coronavirus out of fear, despite the assurance from experts that they are effective and safe.
Other eligible workers did not hesitate to support the coronavirus vaccine distribution in Aklan and will take the vaccine when it became available.
After the vaccination of DRSTMH personnel, the healthcare workers of private hospitals, rural health units and barangay health emergency response team will be inoculated.
Almost 8,000 frontline workers in hospitals and health units in the province of Aklan are being eyed for vaccination.
With the availability of vaccines, Miraflores urged the public not to be complacent. Still, residents should observe health protocols such as strict social distancing, wearing of facemasks and washing of hands with soap and water.
On March 5, DOH Western Visayas received 16,880 doses – the first batch of Sinovac vaccines for 8,438 frontline healthcare workers in Western Visayas./PN
