By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday affirmed the utilization of COVID-19 vaccines in the province is starting to pick up.

Based on data forwarded by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Lacson said they have already used over 90 percent of the CoronaVac vaccines made by Chinese biotech firm Sinovac and 43 percent of the British-made AstraZeneca vaccines they have received.

The governor said he recently had a meeting with vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., and he along with the other local chief executives in Western Visayas were assured that Region 6 will also be prioritized in the vaccination program, especially Iloilo City which has been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

“With that statement, maybe we can expect more doses to come to Negros on a regular basis,” he said.

At present, Lacson said they are still unable to use the AstraZeneca vaccines to individuals aged 59 years old and below. However, they will continue rolling out the vaccines which they currently have in possession.

Meanwhile, since some senior citizens are still hesitant in getting vaccinated, Lacson said he received information that Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque had already authorized the release of vaccines to individuals under the A4 category, or frontline personnel in essential sectors.

If Duque’s authorization is confirmed, it would mean Negros Occidental could further increase its rate of inoculation in the coming days, the governor said.

Last week, the provincial government of Negros Occidental started the vaccination of capitol employees.

Provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, pointed out that vaccinating the capitol employees is important so as to prevent derailing the provincial government’s delivery of basic services to the public./DGB, WDJ