THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental will officially start its vaccination program for frontline health care workers Thursday, March 11, 2021, with the ceremonial vaccination at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital.
Lawyer Rayfrando Diaz, provincial administrator, said 12 medical frontliners coming from the four provincial government-run hospitals have volunteered for the ceremonial vaccination, which will begin at 2 p.m.
They are doctors from Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, Valladolid District Hospital, Cadiz City District Hospital and Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital.
Diaz said everything is now ready and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) had already received Wednesday the initial vaccines and other supplies that would be needed for the vaccination program.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Covid-19 testing czar Secretary Vince Dizon, and Provincial Consultant on Economic Affairs Alfredo Benitez will witness the event.
"The 12 medical frontliners who have volunteered to be inoculated are all doctors," Diaz said.
Diaz said they have received 1,600 doses of Sinovac vaccines from the Department of Health (DOH), wherein the initial 800 will be used for the first dose, while the remaining 800 will be used for the second dose.
By Saturday, Diaz said the vaccination rollout will be held simultaneously with all government hospitals in the province.
"So far our list have already been presented [to the DOH, and we are expecting additional supplies such as AstraZeneca which is expected to arrive soon, and when the second round of supplies arrive, those who were not vaccinated on the first round will be included in the second batch of vaccines that will arrive, Diaz said.
Diaz added they are now expecting AstraZeneca for the second round of vaccines that they will receive. Based on their list, around 1,700 provincial healthcare workers have signed up to be inoculated.
"Right now, we are short by about 900 doses in order to vaccinate those who have volunteered first," he added. "Once the vaccines arrive, we will immediately utilize them as soon as possible and the distribution will be based on the protocols set by the DOH and the World Health Organization," Diaz added.
He also confirmed that the vaccination simulation will be held in Murcia on Friday, which will also be attended by the governor and other provincial officials. They are inviting other mayors who would like to witness to come in Murcia.