THE Department of Health (DOH) 7 took delivery of 300 ampoules of Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine called Sputnik V on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
These bring the total number of doses delivered to the region to 449,010 as of Wednesday. Each Sputnik V ampoule contains one dose.
Other vaccines delivered earlier were from Sinovac, AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, DOH 7 spokesperson, told reporters that the Sputnik V will be administered as first dose to priority groups A1 (healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities).
However, she did not say which vaccination sites will get the Russian vaccine, which has more stringent storage requirements than Sinovac and AstraZeneca.
Moreover, the Project Balik Buhay (PBB) announced that it has started inoculating private sector workers belonging to A4 based on the company masterlists approved by the DOH and concerned local government units (LGUs).
This is done simultaneously with the ongoing vaccination for priority groups A1, A2 and A3.
Eligible to get the vaccine under A4 are private sector workers required to be physically present at their designated workplace outside of their residences, government employees including those from government-owned and controlled corporations, and informal sector workers and self-employed who may be required to work outside their residences as well as those working in private households.
As of Tuesday, June 1, a total of 61,397 healthcare workers; 9,349 senior citizens and 2,479 individuals with comorbidities in Central Visayas have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Mandaue City
In Mandaue City, vaccination of A4 recipients started on June 1, according to Ernie Manatad, head of the vaccine board and Association of Barangay Councils president.
“We decided to roll out for A4 because we are committed to disposing of the AstraZeneca vaccines delivered to us last May, before the end of June,” said Manatad.
Some of the AstraZeneca vaccines will expire by June 30 while the rest will expire by July 31. Even if all senior citizens agree to be inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, Manatad said they would still have some doses left.
The Mandaue City Vaccination Operations Center (VOC) reported that 933 individuals out of the 9,232 persons listed under A4 were inoculated on June 1. Most are government workers.
The VOC said a total of 15,284 doses have been administered to eligible recipients under A1, A2, A3 and A4 as of June 1.
Out of 10,514 vaccine recipients, 4,770 individuals have also received their second dose, the VOC reported.
All 6,150 healthcare workers listed under A1 have been inoculated.
Vaccination rates for A2 and A3 are low. Only 29 percent, or 5,772, of the 20,040 senior citizens on the A2 list have received the vaccine while 23 percent, or 1,069, of the 4,607 persons with comorbidities have been inoculated.
Manatad said, however, that more eligible recipients have responded to their information drive and online registration campaign.
Since March, Mandaue City has received 5,560 doses of Sinovac, 23,600 doses of AstraZeneca and 1,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine.
As of June 1, Mandaue City still had 77 doses of Sinovac, 13,799 doses of AstraZeneca and 408 doses of Pfizer vaccine.
Those belonging to A1 to A4 who wish to get vaccinated may register through Facebook page Mandaue City VOC.
They may also visit the vaccination sites to register and get a vaccination schedule. (WBS / KFD)