COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu hits record high, doses now at 449, 310
With vaccinations going on for weeks already, the province of Cebu is already taking a pivotal step in flattening down the infection curve of the deadly coronavirus variant. On June 3, the COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu hit a record high at 449, 310 doses. The current number of vaccines has already been making Cebuano hopeful of achieving herd immunity in 2022.
The 449, 310 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu are from Sinovac, AstraZeneca and Pfizer, and Sputnik V. The Department of Health already delivered a total of 449,010 doses of vaccines to the region last May 18. And on June 2, 2021, the region received the additional 300 ampoules of Sputnik V.
Herd Immunity in 2022
Cebu’s continuous recovery against the deadly coronavirus is indeed remarkable, unlike other metropolitan cities in the Philippines. In fact, the entire province has been inoculating Cebuano’s weekly and plans to achieve herd immunity in 2022. Although only nearly 100,000 received the vaccines yet, the province remains hopeful and positive in achieving the said long-term goal.
As of Thursday, May 27, 67,823 residents already completed receiving their second dose of COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu. The remaining 111,912 individuals are still waiting for their second dose.
Additionally, a total of 61,397 healthcare workers; 9,349 senior citizens, and 2,479 individuals with comorbidities in Central Visayas. These people already completed getting their COVID-19 vaccines on June 1, 2021. For the time being, the above group has been receiving their jabs of the COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu.
-Eligibility to have the COVID-19 vaccines-
According to the Department of Health (DOH) 7 spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, the total eligible population who can receive the COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu is estimated to be at 5,631,175. These vaccine-legible people are between the age of 18 to 59 years old. Meanwhile, the total eligible population for the age bracket 60 years old and above is 934,911.
“We are just waiting for the actual instructions from the national government on who will be added to the priority A4 list because, as of now, those showed are only uniformed men and personnel,” she said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
COVID-19 Vaccination Program’s Priority List
Based on the National Priority List, after the Priority Group A4, the indigent population not included in preceding categories will follow (A5). After them, will be teachers and social workers (B1), other government workers (B2), other essential workers (B3), socio-demographic groups at significantly higher risk other than senior citizens and indigenous people (B4), and overseas Filipino workers (B5).
Where to get the COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu?
On May 30, the Cebu City Government announced its plan on opening six vaccination sites. These vaccination centers will cater mostly to the residents of mountain barangays. There will be two batches of the proposed plan of giving the COVID-19 vaccines to Cebu countryside residents’. The first one will be on start on June 4 to June 6 and the other one is from June 18 to June 20. Initially, these vaccination sites will be in Barangay Bonbon, Tisa, and the Cebu City Sports Complex for the South district residents in the south district.
On the other hand, the government has also put up another accessible site for the inoculation of the COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu, particularly for the northern district residents. People coming from the said district can get the vaccines mainly in the City Resource Management and Development Center (Cremdec). Moreover, people can also go to Guba Hospital and a multi-purpose school in Barangay Talamban to receive the vaccine.
Hon. Michael Rama, Cebu City’s Vice Mayor, said that these vaccination sites will only be available three times weekly. The Vice Mayor also encouraged Cebuano to get the vaccine and assure them they are safe.
Other Covid-19 vaccination sites
Currently, the COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu are already available in four vaccination sites. They are in the University of Cebu (UC) Banilad campus, Robinsons Galleria, SM Seaside City, and the UC Senior High School campus.
“To ensure accessibility of the vaccines to all Cebuano constituency, particularly the mountain barangays, the City Government will reach out and bring the Covid-19 vaccination services to the mountain barangays,” Rama said. Moreover, he also said that medical associations will be there to assist in the vaccination.
The Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, headed by Dr. Peter Mancao will lead the team in the north district, while the All-Terrain Medical Relief Organization headed by Dr. Wyven Briones will lead the team in the south district.
As of May 28, 40,267 individuals have been vaccinated in Cebu City. On the other hand, Mandaue City has already administered 15,284 doses to eligible recipients under A1, A2, A3, and A4.
-Covid-19 Vaccines 'almost' inadequate-
Dr. Jeffrey Ibones of the City Health Department said that there are only 12, 400 doses left of the COVID-19 Vaccines in Cebu. He also feared that the supply will no longer be adequate in the coming days. With the number of people who wanted to get the jab, Ibones is hoping for another vaccine allocation soon.
Despite having flattened the infection curve, the local government remained strict in implementing safety health protocols and curfew on Cebuano.
