COVID-19 Updates in Davao: Registration for city’s vaccination program reaches 537,820

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A total of 537,820 residents in Davao City are now registered in the priority list of the COVID-19 vaccination in the city.

This was revealed by Dr. Ashley Lopez, the City Health Office (CHO) in-charge and focal person of the city’s COVID-19 Task Force during a presentation of the list of priority registration for the initial phase vaccination.

Earlier, the city has started the registration for residents to avail of its free COVID-19 vaccination program.

The list includes 423,549 indigent residents, 16,677 health workers, 77,189 senior citizens, 5,258 uniformed personnel under Priority Group A.

Priority Group B in the list includes teachers and school personnel, local and national government employees, persons with a disability, indigenous peoples, essential workers, eligible students, overseas workers of OFWS and other workers determined by the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry and Civil Service Commission.

Those not belonging to Group A and B are categorized as Group C in the priority eligible groups.

The city has previously announced that it has acquired the AstraZeneca vaccines that will arrive in the third quarter this year. Meanwhile, the National Task Force on COVID-19 targeted at least 800,000 residents for its vaccination program which is expected to roll out earlier as vaccines are expected to arrive between February to March.

The health officials announced that vaccination centers will be in Mabini Elementary School along Bangkal, Matina, and at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Bajada.

Lopez said they are scouting other sites for the vaccination centers, which may possibly be the University of Mindanao campuses in Bolton, Guianga, and Ilang; the University of Southeastern Philippines; and the Ateneo de Davao High School in Matina.

The city has also readied vaccination teams that include a physician, nurses, counselors, and staff to assist persons during the course of the vaccination.

In cases of adverse reactions to the vaccine, Lopez said the city has formed the Local Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI) composite team that will follow up on the patients.

As of February 17, Davao City has recorded a total of 1,107 COVID-19 active cases out of the 12,581 accumulated cases with 10,866 recoveries and 608 deaths. The coronavirus pandemic has affected the city’s economy and social activities. (davaotoday.com)