BARMM to hold special vaccination drive in May

The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) is set to hold a region-wide special COVID-19 vaccination drive by next month.

In a statement, MOH-BARMM said the inoculation drive seeks to meet the region’s 70% herd immunity target before June this year.

It also targets to curb COVID-19 surge in the region considering that its vaccination rate is still relatively low.

The region has administered an overall total dose of 1,966,281 as of April 10, according to BARMM.

“Our vaccination rate is still low at 27.5% or 960,089 fully vaccinated individuals.  We hope that these special vaccination days will address our low vaccination rate,” MOH public information officer Saida Diocolano-Ali said.

He noted they are hopeful that 215,776 or more individuals will participate during the special vaccination days.

The vaccination program will be held on following days:

• Maguindanao on May 5-7 (at least 70,321 jabs)
• Marawi City on May 5-7 (at least 70,321 jabs)
• Sulu on May 11-13 (at least 25,500 jabs)
• Basilan on May 11-13 & May 16-18 (at least 35,400 jabs)
• Lamitan City on May 11-13 (at least 70,321 jabs)
• Lanao del Sur on May 16-20 (at least 50,250 jabs)
• Tawi-Tawi on May 18-20 (at least 18,405 jabs)

Meanwhile, officer-in-charge Health Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas stated the fight against COVID-19 needs a multi-sectoral approach and engagement from all stakeholders of the society.

Abas added the special vaccination drive will be an expanded partnership of BARMM ministries and offices, including development partners and local non-government organizations.

“Beating COVID-19 cannot be attained by MOH alone, it should be a multi-stakeholder approach because each partner has crucial and unique roles in influencing the public to get vaccinated,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday ordered officials of BARMM to make sure the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the region will pick up in the coming weeks.

In his weekly Talk to the People, Duterte said the BARMM was mandated to follow the instructions of the national government.—AOL, GMA News