By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

More than 14,500 Sinovac jabs have already been distributed among the local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental ever since they have adopted their new vaccination system.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said they have recorded 100 percent utilization in the distribution of the vaccines and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is elated over the success of the new system.

Diaz also said the LGUs have also stepped up their vaccination campaign and those who are doing well will be given additional allocations as part of their agreement with the mayors.

By June 28 to July 2, Diaz said they will start utilizing the 1,950 vials of Pfizer vaccines they received last week.

However, Diaz said the inoculation of Pfizer vaccines will only be conducted at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City and the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City as they are the only vaccination sites in the province that has ultra low freezers.

“In order to prevent the risk of poor handling and spoilage of our [Pfizer] vaccines, this is the system we have adopted as a consensus by the Provincial Health Office, Hospital Operations Division, and the governor,” Diaz explained.

A meeting was also held yesterday afternoon in preparation for the Pfizer inoculations on Monday, June 28.

The LGUs in the province, meanwhile, were only given until yesterday afternoon to submit their nominations for individuals who will get the Pfizer vaccine.

The 1,950 vials is equivalent to 11,700 doses and can vaccinate 5,850 people./DGB, WDJ