By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Around 200 employees of the provincial government of Negros Occidental have gotten their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine following the mass vaccination event held at the Negros First Residences yesterday morning.
Provincial Health Officer (PHO), Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, said the 200 employees consisted mostly of senior citizens and those with comorbidities.
Tumimbang said they are aiming to vaccinate at least 200 to 300 employees of the provincial capitol per day and they are targeting to finish by the first week of June.
He also said almost all frontliners of the provincial capitol have already been vaccinated, especially those belonging to the provincial government-run hospitals. He further added they will start inoculating the capitol’s essential workers next week.
Provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, meanwhile, assured that the vaccination process is in order, and an ambulance is always on standby outside the venue so as to transport anyone who suffers a strong side effect from the vaccine.
Diaz also said those who haven’t filled up their CoVac Vaccination Form still have time in order to decide if they will get the vaccine or not.
He further added they will not obligate the capitol employees to get vaccinated, although he is convincing those who may still have their reservations that the vaccine is safe and could give them protection against COVID-19.
Earlier, the Negros Occidental provincial government pushed for the early vaccination of the capitol workers so as to avoid derailing their delivery of basic services to the public./DGB, WDJ