JORDAN, Guimaras – The provincial government of Guimaras plans to vaccinate against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) all residents of the island province for free.
Guimaras has a population of 186,338.
The provincial government has allotted between P50 million to P70 million to procure COVID-19 vaccines, said Vice Gov. John Edward Gando.
But with Guimaras having 65,315 youths 18 years old and younger – and thus not qualified for inoculation – the number of residents for vaccination would only be 121,015, said Gando.
“Health is the ultimate wealth. Kon amo ini (vaccination) ang pinakamaayo para matapna ang paglapta sang COVID-19, tinguhaan gid naton nga mahatag,” he stressed.
Gando, however, made it clear the vaccination would remain voluntary and no one would be forced to get a jab if he/she refuses.
He, however, remained hopeful that proper information dissemination would make people appreciate the importance of vaccination.
Gando also clarified that the provincial government has not yet decided which COVID-19 vaccine brand to procure.
As of Jan. 17, Guimaras’ cumulative cases of COVID-19 (since recording started in March 2020) hit 255, of which 243 already recovered.
With the death toll at only four cases, the island province has eight active COVID-19 cases left as of Jan. 17.
Six of the active cases were in the municipality of Jordan. The two others were from Sibunag. All the active cases were being quarantined./PN
