Albay launches Covid vax jab

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

The Albay provincial government and the Legazpi City local government unit (LGU) have started vaccination of their constituents to attain herd immunity in order to bring back normalcy in terms of socio-economic activities in the province.

Bichara said that the provincial government is vaccinating more than 1,000 individuals a day at the Albay Astrodome for several days now to attain the target of 70 percent of the population.

He said that the provincial government in partnership with Ako Bicol purchased some 10,000 vials of Covid-19 vaccine to augment the supply of the Department of Health (DOH).

“Albay recorded the highest vaccination in a single day in the region in support of the vaccination program and to provide equitable access to safe and effective vaccines to protect the Albayanos,” Bichara said.

“The province of Albay procured 10,000 of vaccine and vaccinated 1,500 daily aside from the DOH. We’re designating health personnel to assist the vaccination,” the governor said. Vaccination in Albay started Jan. 2 this year up to the present.

Bichara also asked the national government through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to send more vaccines in Albay so the province could to attain its 70 to 80 percent vaccination target.

“If possible, we’re targeting 100 percent if there are more vaccines coming in so we can completely proceed and open up our business under the new normal,” Bichara said.

In Legazpi City, Mayor Noel Rosal said that the city is now included in the priority area for vaccination in the country.

“Expect that more vaccines will be coming in Legazpi as we are now included in the priority area in the country. Everyday vaccination is being done. We will continue the vaccination of senior citizens after the senior citizens are fully vaccinated, we will proceed with the A4 category,” Rosal said.

The city government designated malls and the city convention center as vaccination centers. At present, vaccination is being done from Monday to Friday at the Legazpi City Convention Center (LCCC).

Inoculation is also being done at the LCC Mall and Pacific Mall every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the SM Mall. The same is happening daily in the multi-purpose buildings of barangays Taysan, Cagbacong, San Francissco, Mariawa, Homapon, Banquerohan, Bariis, Buenavista, Bagacay, Estanza, Maslog, and Imalnod.

DOH Bicol reported that as of June 30, 2021, some 294,380 Bicolanos were already inoculated with Covid-19 vaccines.

The number of vaccinated persons per provinces is as follows: Albay, 70,772; Camarines Norte, 22,360; Camarines Sur; 87,064 Catandaunes; 21,130; Masbate, 50,078; and Sorsogon with 42,976.

Albay remains under general community quarantine (GCQ) from July 1-15 after Bichara extended for the community quarantine status to prevent the further spread of the Covid-19 virus.