Cebu City eyes over 96 thousand doses as nationwide COVID-19 vax days begin           

CEBU, Philippines —  While the national government has lowered its target for the nationwide Bayanihan, Bakunahan National Vaccination Days, Cebu City is optimistic it can vaccinate up to 96,924 residents in the next three days.

This means vaccinating 32,000 residents a day.

“Why not? Ato gyud ning buhaton… Maningkamot gyud ta’g maayo...Mao man ni gi-ingon sa atong mayor, Mike Rama, nga ato gyung buhaton,” said Dr. Jeffrey Briones, officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Health Department.

Cebu City has been chosen as regional host for the three-day massive vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

From its 15 million target, the national government lowered the number to 9 million, citing unavoidable circumstances.

Ibones said not all 80 barangays will have a vaccination site for the three-day activity but 90 vaccination teams will be spread across the city. He said the city decided to prioritize barangays with low vaccination rates, as well as densely populated areas. 

“Naa say mga barangays nga maski nakaabot na sila’g 80 percent, amo gihapon silang gibutangan kay dako man kaayo nga barangay like Guadalupe. Maski pag muingon ka’g 80 percent na sila, pero ang ilang nabakunahan 30,000 na, nya 40,000 sila, daghan pang wala,” Ibones explains.

He said the city is ready for the challenge.

“Ready na ta! Right now, finishing touches na lang ta. Ampo lang ta nga wa tay problema ani tomorrow… Ato na mang gisuroy tanang sites,” he said yesterday, Sunday.

He said the vaccination sites will also accommodate those from the A1, A2, and A3 priority groups who are already eligible for a booster shot.

Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City targets to administer 29,239 doses; Mandaue targets 22,512; Naga targets 15,521; Talisay City targets 13,617; Consolacion targets 18,539; Minglanilla targets 15,963; Cordova targets 13,104; and Liloan targets 22,015.

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson of the Visayas Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC), said the national government targets 1,328,478 in three days in Central Visayas.

Employees of both government and the private sector who will have themselves vaccinated in the next three days will be excused from work as long as they can show a proof of vaccination to their employers, subject to rules that may be issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Massive vaccination has been pushed for protection against COVID-19, if not, to avoid severe symptoms and death.

Newly installed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has since said that “vaccination is the key to liberation.”

After the three-day campaign, the national government will also administer second doses and booster shots from December 15 to 17. — JMO (FREEMAN)