BAGUIO City recently completed the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine among its heath workers.
Dr. Rowena Galpo, City Health Services Office (CHSO) chief, said although Baguio finished the vaccination for health workers, inoculation for senior citizens (A2) will be put on hold while waiting for other vaccines.
“As of now, we have finished the inoculation of our health workers in the city listed under A-1 and could have proceeded with our A-2 category or the senior citizens, however, it is only the Sonivac vaccine that was available but not recommended for the senior citizens because this vaccine is only good for the 18 to 59 age group, so we are waiting for the other brands of vaccines fit for the senior citizens,” Galpo said.
She pointed out that due to the lack of appropriate study pertaining to AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine’s possible effects to individuals aged 60 and above, senior citizens considered as sensitive and high-risk group would have to wait for the arrival of other vaccines.
At least 20,000 senior citizens in Baguio were listed as recipients.
According to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWADO), there are close to 39,000 senior citizens in the city.
The CHSO, meanwhile, is targeting to vaccinate the 2,500 who have earlier pre-registered for the A3 sector or those individuals with comorbidities.
Individuals falling under the A3 category require medical clearance from the doctor stating their specific comorbidity.
Individuals who are diabetic, having heart related illnesses, chronic pulmonary disease, cancer patients, controlled tuberculosis patients, controlled HIV patients, obesity among others are listed under this sector.
“Although we started this on Holy Thursday and on April 6, we still have many targets for this sector but unfortunately we are still waiting for the arrival of the vaccines through the Department of Health,” Galpo said.
“I think we have done more than 10,000 vaccination in Baguio City for health workers and partial of A3 or those with comorbidity. Hospitals in the city are now starting with the second dose of Sinovac vaccine for those under A1 category after the 28 day interval,” she added.