ILOILO – The provincial government kicked off its barangay-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination yesterday in Santa Barbara town.
The vaccination team of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) led by PHO acting head, Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, went to barangays Balabag, Pal-agon, Jibao-an, and Talongadian.
According to Mayor Rema Somo, the identifed 175 recipients for each barangay.
“Wala man sang gin-defer. Tanan nga ginlista ara gid, wala may na-disqualify. Kon may gin-disqualify man, gina-islan dayun,” Somo told Panay News.
Those vaccinated belonged to categories A1 to A5 (healthcare workers, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, economic frontliners, and indigent).
The four barangays were selected because of their high number of COVID cases and them being densely populated and far from the town proper.
As of Sept. 7, here’s the breakdown of active COVID-19 cases in these barangays:
* Balabag – 19
* Pal-agon – 13
* Jibao-an – zero
* Talongadian – two
Somo said the vaccination roll out was smooth sailing. Recipients arrived at the barangay covered gym early and barangay officials assisted in enforcing the minimum public health standards. Personnel of the Rural Health Unit also helped in the roll out of the AstraZeneca jabs purchased by the provincial government.
Eight more barangays in Santa Barbara will be visited by the PHO vaccination team – Buyo, Tagsing, Baliban Este, and Balibagan Oeste on Thursday, and Inangayan, San Sebastian, Cadagmayan Norte, and Cadagmayan Sur on Friday.
Somo said residents, especially senior citizens, can save travel time and reduce the risk of contagion.
As of Sept. 7, Santa Barbara had 1,596 total COVID cases – 327 active cases, 1,238 recovered and 31 dead.
The provincial government’s holding of the barangay-based vaccination roll out is one of the adjustments made by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. to curb COVID-19 surge in the barangay level./PN
