A Davao City Health Official (CHO) said vaccinating at least 7,540 indigent Dabawenyos, who belong to the Priority A5 group, with the first dose of an anti-Covid-19 vaccine as of July 12 is an encouraging number to start.
Davao City Covid-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser, during Davao City Disaster Radio's Covid-19 Alert program aired Wednesday, July 14, said, "Our indigents are very responsive and excited to have their doses, masaya kasi (we are happy because) a lot of them are willing to be vaccinated."
The indigents who first got immunized were from the indigenous peoples (IP) communities in Marilog. At least 170 of the 7,540 received their second shots.
Schlosser said it took continuous education for the IPs to eventually welcome the idea of getting the Covid-19 vaccine shots after their hesitation due to fear.
"So far that was one of our fears, continuous education to our people hindi lang naman sa mga lumads kahit hindi lumad na nandito sa city proper (not just to the lumads but also to people residing in the city proper), there are still people who are also in doubt of the vaccines. Isa po sa mga challenge natin is to educate them (One of our challenges is to educate them) with the benefits and importance of the vaccine. Nagkachallenge tayo (we were challenged) at first but as we go along, we were very surprised and we very glad marami gustong magpabakuna (a lot wanted to be vaccinated) and they were receptive of it," she said.
She also said that individuals belonging to the A5 priority group are those from indigent communities, particularly those in far-flung barangays.
She said, "basta nag-fall sa indigent communities (those who belong to indigent communities)" is part of the A5 priority group.
Dr. Schlosser said the city's district health officers in IP communities may have already communicated with tribal leaders as they are instrumental in implementing the city's health programs not just the vaccination program.
"We continue to educate them that's why we also conducted a series of reorientation for our barangay health response team kasi sila yung pwedeng further mag educate sa mga tao (because they are the ones who can educate people) in their jurisdiction," she added.
While the city's vaccination rollout is currently focused on the A3 (persons with comorbidities), the A4 (essential workers), and the A5 (indigents) priority groups, she said they are still accommodating A1 (health care workers) and A2 (senior citizens) for the benefit of those who have not yet availed of vaccines. She, however, said that the A1 and the A2 groups are almost covered.
As of July 12, the city vaccination program rolled out a total of 282,463 first dose shots and 85,362 second dose jabs. A total of 46,343 first doses and 31,332-second doses were administered for A1; 74,199 first doses and 18,210 second doses were given to A2; 100,450 first doses and 35,358 second doses for A3 were distributed; and 53,931 first doses and 292 second doses were conducted for A4.
Vaccines so far used to inoculate Dabawenyos were Sinovac (156,490), Pfizer (73,585), AstraZeneca (59,377), and Gamaleya (882). Davao City Information Office