THE Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-Barmm) announced Thursday, March 4, 2021, that 2,100 health personnel in Barmm are the first to receive the Sinovac vaccine, following its arrival in Cotabato City.
Dr. Amirel Usman, MOH-Barmm minister, said they are set to conduct a vaccination ceremony Friday morning, March 5, at the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in Maguindanao.
With 4,200 vials of Sinovac vaccine, each of the health workers shall receive two shots, with four weeks interval from the first vaccination, according to Usman.
Usman said it is for first phase of the anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination program of MOH-Barmm.
“From these initial 2,100 shots, 1,400 will be from Maguindanao, 972 in Lanao del Sur, 278 in Basilan, 1,032 in Sulu, and 518 for Tawi-Tawi, while Cotabato City was already given by Region 12,” Usman said.
Usman emphasized that at least 70 percent of Barmm constituents are the initial target to be vaccinated.
He said health workers in the region (who work both in public and private hospitals), including frontline workers in the ministries of social services, education, and local government, are the top priorities of the health ministry.
The next priorities are the indigent senior citizens, Barmm constituents and uniformed personnel. However, this is still subject to change, depending on prevailing situations. (SunStar Zamboanga)