The Negros Occidental COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force convened at the Capitol in Bacolod City this afternoon, March 3, to finalize preparations for the vaccine roll out.
The provincial government COVID-19 vaccination dry run will be held in Murcia town, instead of Cadoni, on March 12, Provincial Administrator Rayfrado Diaz said.
The task force meeting presided by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson was held to finalize the composition of its sub-committees, Diaz said.
Task force members were also briefed on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Infectious disease control experts from the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital explained the reason why the vaccination should be done, Diaz said.
Among the challenges they are facing is the need to campaign for public acceptance of the vaccines, he said.
Health frontliners of Negros Occidental have not been included in the national government’s initial roll out of Sinovac vaccines.
The provincial government is buying 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines for 50,000 persons.
The vaccines are for the health frontliners and provincial government employees, he said.
He said 2,000 doses will also be provided for each of the 31 towns and cities of Negros occidental that will cover 1,000 employees per LGU, he said.
However, the provincial government is not in control of when they will be delivered, Diaz said.
“We are at the mercy of our suppliers and national government,” he said.
“Whatever vaccines come first will be administered on those who want to be the first recipients,” he said, referring to the vaccines from the national government.
Those who want to wait for the brand purchased by the provincial government can wait, he said.*
The Negros Occidental COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force convenes.*Richard Malihan photo