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DOH eyes to vaccinate individuals in remote, far-flung areas on 4th Bayanihan, Bakunahan drive
By RICHA NORIEGA,GMA News The Department of Health (DOH) said the national government will prioritize to inoculate individuals in remote and far-flung areas on its fourth wave of the "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" national vaccination drive this month.
The Health department earlier said the priority for the fourth national vaccination drive will be senior citizens who have not yet completed their primary dose series and those set for booster shots.
“The DOH, through the support of its partners, will reach remote and far-flung areas: locations where indigenous peoples reside and those living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement released on Tuesday.
Vergeire said they would conduct house-to-house vaccination to reach the senior citizens and boost the vaccination rollout among communities.
“In coordination with local government units (LGUs), and the private sector, pharmacies, primary care clinics, and occupational health clinics, as well as air, sea, and transportation terminals are being utilized to reach more of the target population,” she said.
“The churches, parishes, and cathedrals are also extending its aid to serve as vaccination sites for a further reach of inoculation,” she added.
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The Health undersecretary encouraged the public to get inoculated to avoid severe COVID-19 cases.
“The DOH reiterates that the benefits of being vaccinated outweighs the risk of possible adverse events after immunization (AEFIs),” Vergeire said.
She said the fourth national vaccination drive aims to inoculate a total of 1.8 million individuals nationwide.
The national vaccination drive will push through on March 10, 11, and 12, and will include homes and workplaces this time.
The government is eyeing to fully vaccinate 77 million Filipinos against COVID-19 by the end of March, and 90 million by the time President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office on June 30.—AOL, GMA News