DOH-CHD MIMAROPA prepares for vaccine roll-out in the region
As the national government is currently in the advanced
stages of collaboration with various vaccine manufacturers, and in the
development of the vaccination plan, the Department of Health Center for Health
Development – MIMAROPA intensifies its preparation for the COVID-19 vaccine
roll-out.
The first COVID-19 vaccine supply is expected to arrive in
the first quarter of 2021 and with the initial limited supply, frontline health
workers, and uniformed personnel are at the top five of priority list since the
aforementioned have higher risk of exposure while on duty. This is to allow
them to continue fulfilling their duties in both the public and private
sectors. Guided by the principle of equity, vulnerable groups such as the
senior citizens and the indigent population are also prioritized.
As a part of the intensified preparation of DOH CHD MIMAROPA
and the Local Government Units (LGUs) for the vaccine roll-out during the first
quarter of the year, the regional office facilitated a meeting with the Local
Chief Executives (LCEs) in the region last January 19, 2021.
The meeting revolved around the process involved in
achieving cost-effective and time-efficient acquisition and delivery of
vaccines in MIMAROPA. It also served as an avenue where LCEs and health care
workers in the region were able to raise their questions and concerns regarding
the COVID-19 vaccine deployment.
Part of the actions being taken by the regional office to
attain a seamless vaccine roll-out include the finalization of the master list
of the eligible population, creation of the COVID-19 vaccine core group, and
conduct of intensive training for the implementers in the LGUs that will
champion the implementation of the vaccination plan.
While vaccines have yet to arrive in MIMAROPA’s shores,
OIC-Regional Director Mario S. Baquilod reminded the public to remain vigilant
and be proactive in mitigating the spread of the virus through science-backed
infection prevention and control measures, and non-pharmaceutical
interventions.
“Habang hinihintay natin ang pagdating ng bakuna sa atin,
patuloy ang ating panawagan sa lahat na paigtingin pa ang ating pagsunod sa mga
health protocols. Tayo po ay patuloy na maging BIDA Solusyon Plus sa COVID-19,”
Director Baquilod said.
The BIDA Solusyon sa COVID-19 that was first launched last
year, is a social behavioral change campaign that encourages the public to
practice preventive measures against COVID-19. The Department of Health
modified and further enhanced the campaign and at present, the five main BIDA messages are: (a)
Bawal walang mask at face shield, (b) I-sanitize ang mga kamay at iwasan ang
kulob na lugar, (c) Dumistansya ng isang metro at limitahan ang pisikal na
interaksyon sa iba, (d) Alamin ang totoong impormasyon and, (+) Suportahan ang
FDA-approved na bakuna.
Although vaccination is not mandatory, CHD MIMAROPA highly
encourages the public to get vaccinated and be protected against preventable
disease, “Huwag po tayong matakot sa bakuna, ang mga bakuna ay dumaan sa
masusing proseso upang tiyakin ang mabuting epekto at kaligtasan nito sa mga
tao. Ang lahat ng mga mababakunahan, ay patuloy na susubaybayan upang masiguro
ang kanilang kaligtasan,” the health chief concluded.
