Tagbilaran LGU offers COVID-19 jabs to residents, non-residents

TAGBILARAN CITY — More people were inoculated as the Tagbilaran City government has resumed its COVID-19 vaccination for residents and non-residents who are working in the city.

Susan Rolleta and Elizabeth Buagas were among those who went to Tagbilaran City Central Elem. School to get vaccinated on Wednesday morning.

Rolleta, 59, a resident of Barangay Songculan in Dauis town, and Buagas, 48, a resident of Barangay Libertad in Baclayon town, are deaf-mute individuals working in Garden Cafe, an American Old West restaurant cum museum in Tagbilaran.

They were assisted by their colleague Veronica Dagamac, 52, who served as translator.

Rolleta and Buagas said they felt anxious of injection pain. But they were relieved when it was done quickly.

"It didn't hurt," said Rolleta with a smile.

Asked why they decided to have a jab, Rolleta said it was for "protection against COVID-19."

"It was to prevent the spread of the virus," said Buagas.

Mayor John Geesnell Yap II said the hearing impaired community is given equal access to government services.

"Our goal is to make vaccination as accessible as possible to everyone," said Yap.

The vaccination roll out in Tagbilaran City is in partnership with the provincial government of Bohol with the supply of J & J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Yap said the vaccination is still for  A1 (medical frontliners), A2 (senior citizens), A3 (persons with comorbidity) and A4 (essential workers) priority groups for residents and non-residents who are working in the city on August 2, 3, 4,  5,  9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.

The vaccination sites at Tagbilaran City Central School and Bool Elem. School were intended for non-residents who are working in the city, while inoculation sites at Tagbilaran City College, Booy Covered Court and Dao Elementary School were for Tagbilaran residents.

Qualified for the vaccines were tricycle drivers, multicab drivers, security guards, delivery riders, hotel and restaurants, national government agencies, bankers, carenderias, market vendors, hospital workers, pharmacy workers, caregivers, dialysis centers, convenient stores, water refiiling stations, hardware, dental clinics, money transfer/pawnshops, telecommunications, bakeries, gasoline staions, and funeral and embalming services.

As of Tuesday, there were 2,472 individuals who got inoculated.

Yap said qualified individuals are urged to strongly consider getting a vaccine in the face of a growing COVID-19 threat.

Bohol has recorded 9,966 COVID-19 infections with 774 active cases and 208 deaths. There are 8,984 recoveries. -- BAP, GMA News