Davao City to procure more vax

A HEALTH official said the City Government is fast-tracking the procurement of more coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines to give residents an option to choose their preferred brands.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Covid-19 Task Force, said many Dabawenyos have preferences when it comes to their Covid-19 vaccines.

As a solution, Schlosser said the City Government is working to procure more vaccines to give people an option.

“Tama man pud atong councilors and mayor na naay choice ang tao. Naa man gud uban tao na naa silay preference na brand so we are working on it (What our mayor and councilors have said about people having a choice is correct. But there are those who have a preferred brand),” said Schlosser during a radio interview on Wednesday, January 26.

Previously, the Task Force discouraged people from choosing vaccines, particularly the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, which were reserved for pediatric vaccination since it is the only vaccine with an Emergency Use Authorization for minors.

At the same time, Schlosser said the city now has all brands available but the city is working on procuring more.

“Naa lang siguro gamay na delay because of the procurement but definitely, they will receive just in time for the second dose (There might be some slight delays but we assure that those who are scheduled for the second dose will receive it on time),” said Schlosser, referring to the Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccines.

As of January 24, Mayor Duterte-Carpio said 1,226,505 Dabawenyos or 94.35 percent of the targeted herd immunity are already fully vaccinated, while 1,280,467 or 98 percent are on their first dose.

About 154,267 individuals or 11.87 percent have been administered with the booster dose.