The 34,800 Sinovac vaccines for Negros Occidental and 7,800 for Bacolod City arrived Wednesday, June 30, with more expected to come.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lascon said that it was the largest single shipment to Negros Occidental so far, and the vaccines will be immediately distributed to towns and cities ready to inoculate their residents.
“This is the biggest number of vaccines that we received at one time. There is a focus on Western Visayas because of the (COVID-19) cases. Let’s really take advantage. On the part of the provincial government we are ready to rollout whatever vaccines we have,” Lacson said.
The Pfizer mass vaccination at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City and the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City is also ongoing until Friday, he said.
The governor called on Negrenses scheduled for vaccination not to refuse the opportunity. “Consider it a blessing that you will be vaccinated,” he said.
Lacson also said there is no guarantee that the placing of Negros Occidental under General Community Quarantine will bring down the COVID-19 cases in the province.
It will really depend on the compliance of every individual with the minimum health protocols, he said.
IN BACOLOD
The 7,800 Sinovac vaccines for Bacolod City will be administered at the barangay vaccination centers, City Administrator Em Ang, who is also executive director of the city Emergency Operations Center, said.
Dr. Chris Sorongon, EOC deputy for medical data and analysis, said more vaccines are expected to arrive with Bacolod City having been named by the national government as a priority area.*