The vaccine rollout in different parts of the country has taken off as thousands of doses donated by China were distributed.
The inoculation of frontline workers has begun in Eastern Visayas following the arrival of 6,900 doses of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Sinovac Biotech. Around 600 doses were allocated to medical frontline workers of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center with its chief Dr. Salvador Evardone receiving the initial jab.
According to Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Eastern Visayas Director Lord Bayron Torrecarion, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the region was successful with many individuals willing to get the shot.
Other vaccine doses are set to be delivered to different hospitals in the region within the week while additional doses for the region are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
The vaccine rollout at the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City, Davao del Norte has also started. The hospital is considered the second main COVID-19 hospital in the region. It aims to vaccinate around 1,800 employees. DRMC head Dr. Bryan Dalid said the rollout is estimated to be finished in one week.
The Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital (CSGH) in Culion, Palawan successfully started its vaccination program as well. Medical Division Head Dr. Neal Torre attested that the apprehensions on the CoronaVac were lessened after the conduct of an advocacy campaign and orientation.
The Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City and other COVID-19 referral hospitals such as Roxas Medicare Hospital and Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital will follow suit.
Meanwhile, medical frontliners in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) began to receive vaccines starting from the personnel of Benguet General Hospital. The hospital got 500 doses from the 1,100 doses of CoronaVac allocated to the region. – Reports from John Aroa/PTV Cebu, Julius Pacot/PTV Davao, Jorton Campana/ PTV Cordillera