AT LEAST seven mayors from Cebu province have been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The number is expected to rise dramatically as the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases passed Resolution 115-B that now includes local chief executives in the priority list of government’s vaccination program.
Among the Cebu mayors who have gotten their Covid-19 jabs are Kristine Chiong (City of Naga), Elanito Peña (Minglanilla), Alex Binghay (Balamban), Ramon “Nito” Durano III (Danao City), Carlo Martinez (Bogo City), Benjun Mondigo (Medellin), and Arthur Despi (Bantayan).
Mondigo said by getting inoculated, he hoped to encourage more of his constituents to also have themselves vaccinated.
Mondigo noted that the turnout of vaccinees in Medellin had been low due to the people’s fear of the vaccine.
“In our survey, they really say no to being vaccinated. I think the message we want to convey is really confidence in the vaccine,” said Mondigo in a mix of Cebuano and English.
“To public officials, if you believe in the efficacy of the vaccines, let’s not think twice about being vaccinated because this will really be a big help so people will believe in the positive effects of the vaccine and it will boost public confidence,” Mondigo added.
Meanwhile, Durano, who is part of the A2 priority group (senior citizens), said he experienced hot flashes for five minutes after he was given the shot. He also had a headache two hours after his vaccination.
“Today I feel okay and normal. The Covid-19 vaccine is better than the Covid-19 disease itself. There are a lot of us who are worried, but let’s not allow Covid to defeat us,” Durano said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
“If the vaccine for your category is available, take advantage of the opportunity so that you, your family and the community will be protected,” Durano added.
Pfizer
In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said they will offer free rides for Oponganons who will be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine which is being kept in storage at Chong Hua Hospital-Mandaue (CHHM).
Chan said the vaccinees will be transported to CHHM from Lapu-Lapu City for their scheduled vaccination as the City does not have the adequate facility needed to store the Pfizer vaccine.
Chan called on Oponganons not be selective of their vaccine preference as all brands are safe.
Aside from Pfizer, Lapu-Lapu City still has AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccine allocations.
Chan was vaccinated with Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.
“All vaccines are here. Pfizer is the third, and we haven’t heard of anyone experiencing dire side effects from any of the vaccines,” Chan said in Cebuano.
Lapu-Lapu City has hired 30 tricycles to ferry senior citizens for free to its vaccination posts located at the Barangay Agus gymnasium and Gun-ob Elementary School.
Latest tally
VACCINE ALLOCATION (Source: DOH 7)
Cebu City
Total allocation – 136,100
Breakdown of total allocation:
- 64,810 Sinovac
- 51,640 AstraZeneca
- 19,650 Pfizer-BioNTech
Cebu Province
Total allocation – 88,094 doses
Breakdown of total allocation:
- 55,322 Sinovac
- 31,300 AstraZeneca
- 1,472 Pfizer-BioNTech
Negros Oriental
Total allocation – 38,124 doses
Breakdown of total allocation:
- 24,844 Sinovac
- 13,280 AstraZeneca
- 0 Pfizer-BioNTech
Siquijor
Total allocation – 21,744 doses
Breakdown of total allocation:
- 17,704 Sinovac
- 4,040 AstraZeneca
- 0 Pfizer-BioNTech
Lapu-Lapu City
Total allocation – 23,648
Breakdown of total allocation:
- 8,890 Sinovac
- 11,920 AstraZeneca
- 2,838 Pfizer-BioNTech
Mandaue City
Total allocation – 49,670
Breakdown of total allocation:
- 15,840 Sinovac
- 28,540 AstraZeneca
- 5,290 Pfizer-BioNTech
Bohol
Total allocation – 91,130 doses
Breakdown of total allocation:
- 69,850 Sinovac
- 21,280 AstraZeneca
- 0 Pfizer-BioNTech
Government has vaccinated about 71 percent of the total number of healthcare workers (eligible population priority A1) in Central Visayas who have registered for vaccination.
The Department of Health (DOH) 7, on Thursday, May 20, reported that 93,352 out of the 131,781 masterlisted healthcare workers in the region have received their first dose as of Wednesday, May 19, while 47,445 have also received their second dose.
The DOH 7 also reported that 604,444 senior citizens have already registered to be vaccinated under the local government units’ vaccination program, of which, 30,836 or 5.1 percent have been vaccinated.
A total of 167 healthcare workers, 669 senior citizens, and 675 individuals with comorbidities have also received complete vaccination under the private-public partnership Project Balik Buhay (PBB) vaccine initiative.
Central Visayas has received a total of 257,760 doses of Sinovac, 162,000 doses of AstraZeneca, and 29,250 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.
Cebu City received the highest vaccine allocation at 136,100 doses composed of 64,810 doses of Sinovac, 51,640 doses of AstraZeneca, and 19,650 doses of Pfizer BioNTech vaccines. (GCM, WBS)