By Manny Balbin / Philippine News Agency
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) started on Wednesday the vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Bulacan Provincial Jail.
PHO information officer Patricia Alvaro said some 1,711 detainees are scheduled to be inoculated with priority to be given to senior citizens and those with comorbidities.
Alvaro said they target to inoculate more than 400 inmates a day with three more vaccination dates set on October 15, 19 and 20.
“Kailangan naming tapusin sa apat na araw ang 1,711 inmates, kabilang yung sa A2 at A3 priority group para sa kanilang unang dose (We need to finish in four days the 1,711 inmates, including those belonging to the A2 and A3 priority group for their first dose),” she said in an interview.
The provincial jail has banned visitors since last year in order to safeguard the health of the inmates.
Jail officers are also prohibited from making unnecessary contact with the PDLs to avoid the risk of infection.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the PHO said the province’s COVID-19 caseload is pegged at 79,955.
A total of 77,564 patients have recovered while 1,339 died. (PNA)-rir
