PRE-JAB CHECK. A nurse from the Cotabato City health office checks the blood pressure of an inmate before his immunization for coronavirus disease 2019 on Sunday (Sept. 12, 2021). At least 58 PDLs from the city’s three police stations were vaccinated against the disease. (Photo courtesy Cotabato CHO)
COTABATO CITY – At least 58 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have benefited from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines administered by the city health office.
Dr. Meyasser Patadon, city health officer, said Monday the vaccinated PDLs are from the city’s three police stations.
“We prioritized the PDLs because they are at high risk of contracting the disease considering the limited space they have at the detention cells at the police stations,” Patadon said in a statement.
He said the vaccination process went on smoothly on Sunday, with the cooperation of the PDLs under the watchful eyes of police personnel.
“Physical distancing was strictly observed and so with the wearing of face masks and face shields,” Patadon said.
Meanwhile, a total of 78,721 residents here from the A1 (front-liners), A2 (senior citizens), A3 (persons with comorbidities), and A4 (essential workers) categories have so far received their anti-Covid jabs.
The city has some 325,000 population as of the 2020 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (PNA)
