RICE INCENTIVE. Mayor John Dalipe (2nd from left) hands over a pack of five kilos of rice to a vaccinee after getting a booster dose on Monday (Sept. 26, 2022) in Zamboanga City. Dalipe announced that each vaccinee will receive five kilos of rice as an incentive during their weeklong vaccination activity. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga CIO)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – To encourage more people to get vaccine boosters during the weeklong "national vaccination days," Mayor John Dalipe announced Monday that each booster vaccinee will receive five kilos of rice as an incentive.
Dalipe announced this during the launching of the Sept. 26 – 30 “Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas Special Vaccination Days here at the Southern City Colleges.
The local government has allocated rice for the 16 health districts for distribution to booster vaccines during the special national vaccination days, the mayor said.
Dalipe urged residents to “continue to safeguard one another by encouraging our friends, family, and relatives to get the shots” for added protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“This is exactly why the local campaign to increase vaccination rate remains consistent,” he added.
Based on the DOH guidelines, the first booster is open to eligible population ages 12 to 17 years old and adults including senior citizens.
The second booster is open for the immunocompromised, health workers in front-line services, senior citizens, individuals 50 years old and above, and adults 18 to 49 years old with comorbidities.
Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, city health officer, said at least 20 vaccination sites, mostly in the health districts have been activated for the five-day Bakunahang Bayan.
City Health Office data showed that since last year, 215,823 city residents have received their first vaccine booster and 21,026 got their second booster dose.
The Bakunahang Bayan aims to further increase the number of individuals protected from Covid-19. It is anchored on the theme “Sa Bakunahang Bayan, Bawat Pilipino, mas PinasLakas ang proteksyon.” (PNA)
