By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial government and the Bacolod City government have received additional doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, vaccines yesterday morning.

The vaccines were part of the over two million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines the country received on Saturday, May 8, through the COVAX Facility of the World Health Organization.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said Negros Occidental received a total of 3,080 vials of vaccines while Bacolod City received 1,680 vials, which are equivalent to 30,800 doses.

The shipment arrived at 8:32 a.m. via a Cebu Pacific flight from Manila.

“Medyo daku-daku nga supply ni ang na-receive and we are grateful to the national government,” Diaz said.

The provincial administrator further stated the AstraZeneca vaccines will be used for Negrenses aged 55 and up. he pointed out they can;t use the AstraZeneca vaccines yet on people aged 18 to 55 as it has not yet been cleared if it is safe for use at that particular age group.

“Until we get the clearance, the AstraZeneca vaccines will be used sa aton mga kautoran nga naga-edad 55 years old and above lang,” Diaz pointed out.

As to the situation of the province’s COVID-19 vaccination program, Diaz said the province is not lagging behind in the program and they are currently on track as they are now inoculating those under the A1 to A2 category. Bacolod City, meanwhile, is already inoculating those under the A3 category.

Diaz said those who have already registered with the provincial government for vaccination should now be prepared as they could receive word of their turn within the next few days.

“We have no problems with the vaccination plan, [except] for the supply of vaccines,” he added./DGB, WDJ