Davao City – The head of the City’s Vaccination Program bared that based on the prioritized list of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19 the 12,000 vials of CoronaVac of the Sinovac Vaccines received by Davao City last March 2 will be for the COVID-19 dedicated hospitals like the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and the Davao Medical Center in Apokon, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, chief of the City’s Vaccination Program revealed that the health authorities pledged another 16,000 doses good for eight thousand recipients will be delivered to the city which will be given to the private hospitals, temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, swab centers, down the line towards the uniformed personnel.
“Health Undersecretary Cabotaje, and Health XI Director Anabelle Yumang bared the arrival of 16,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines good for eight thousand recipients,” she said.
Villafuerte clarified that persons aged 60 and above are not allowed to be inoculated with Sinovac vaccines.
She said under the emergency utilization authorization given by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Sinovac vaccines will be used only from 18 to 59 years old.
Villafuerte underscored that senior citizens whether indigent or not will not be included in the Sinovac vaccination, including also, people with comorbidities.
She said the studies on the Sinovac vaccine are incomplete, since its medical trial was done only from ages 18 to 59 and none for 60 and above.
Villafuerte bared that older citizens could avail of other vaccines since the have passed their clinical trials even on sixty years old and above including their comorbidities.
She said that the vaccination roll out will start on March 5 at the SPMC with the presence of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and secretaries like Carlito Galvez, Jr., Vince Dizon, Harry Roque and Francisco Duque III.
Villafuerte said that locally, the vaccination roll out will start on March 8 at the Mabini Elementary School in Bangkal, with front liners from private hospitals as priority and other front liners down the line.
She assured that the COVID-19 vaccination program is free for all ages.
“When your schedule comes, do not miss the opportunity for immunization,” Villafuerte said.
She stressed vaccinees will be exposed to COVID-19, but are assured of protection from mild, moderate and severe hospitalization and death.
(Joey Sem G. Dalumpines, PIA XI | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)