Gov’t to hold special vaccination days in Vis-Min in late April –NVOC

The government is eyeing another round of targeted special vaccination days in the Visayas and Mindanao regions starting April 21 to ramp up immunization against COVID-19, National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) chairperson Dr. Myrna Cabotaje said on Sunday.

“We are looking at Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, pinaplano ‘yun sa April 21 at 22. Then, we are looking at Region 12 dahil isa din sila sa mababa [ang vaccination] sa April 25, 26, 27,” she said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We are looking at Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, we are planning that on April 21 and 22. Then, we are looking at Soccsksargen on April 25, 26, 27 because they are also one of the regions with low vaccination.)

Meanwhile, special vaccination days in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other areas such as Palawan, and in Mimaropa and Bicol Regions will be conducted in May, Cabotaje added.

In contrast to the original target of fully vaccinating at least 90 million Filipinos by the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte on June 30, 2022, the NVOC chief said they will already be “happy” if they reach 77 million by then.

“Nasa 66.8 million na tayo so 10 million ang bubunuin natin hanggang May and June. So hopefully, the special vaccination days in these areas will be able to help us reach the 77 million or even beyond para maka-reach tayo na 90 million na milestone natin,” Cabotaje said.

(We are already at 66.8 million so we will still vaccinate 10 million until May and June. So hopefully, the special vaccination days in these areas will be able to help us reach 77 million or even beyond so that we can reach our 90 million milestone.)

The Department of Health (DOH) initiated the special vaccination days in Cebu province, Davao region, and Cotabato City from March 29 to 31, and held them again in BARMM from March 30 to April 1.

Cabotaje last Wednesday also said that there is a possibility of a mini-surge in COVID-19 cases in BARMM as only 32.28% of its residents have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease.

According to vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the Bangsamoro government is mulling the use of mosques as vaccination sites to spur take-up. — BM, GMA News