GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Some 104,442 individuals from parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) have already been inoculated as of the weekend against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
A report released on Monday by the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 12 said such figure comprise the eligible persons from priority groups A1, A2, A3, and A4 who have received at least one dose of the AstraZeneca or Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine as of June 5, 2021.
Vaccinated were some 58,793 health care workers (A1), 39,140 senior citizens (A2), 11,463 persons with comorbidities (A3), and 46 frontline workers in essential sectors, including uniformed personnel (A4).
Some 49,179 individuals have already received second dose or booster shots and are considered fully vaccinated, with 34,226 under A1, 12,830 under A2, 11 under A3, and 12 under A4.
Arjohn Gangoso, DOH-12 health education and promotion officer, said in a radio interview the vaccination activities and registration of eligible individuals are ongoing in all four provinces and four cities in the region.
He said the acceptance of the vaccines has been increasing among the initial priority groups and more individuals have been enlisting with the rural health units to get inoculated.
“We’re hoping to sustain that trend, especially in terms of demand and eagerness from residents, once we have enough vaccines available,” he said.
Gangoso said they expect the delivery of more vaccines from their central office in the coming days, with the recent arrival of more supplies purchased by the national government.
He assured that they have enough doses allocated for the second dose of those who already received their first shot.
Gangoso clarified that the interval for the second shot is different for each vaccine brand, with 28 to 32 days for CoronaVac and 10 to 12 weeks for AstraZeneca.
He said RHUs only defer the second dose of the recipients if they have health-related problems and undergoing quarantine or isolation.
“But they will get their allotted shots once they fully recover or properly cleared,” he added. (PNA)
