By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The provincial government of Negros Occidental will start vaccinating qualified individuals under the A4 priority group or frontline economic workers today.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said they will use the shipment of 290 vials or 2,900 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine which were part of the 100,000 doses purchased by the provincial government.

Diaz said among those included to receive the vaccines in the province are those working in the energy sector, finance and the sugar industry.

He pointed out they are being prioritized in the said category as they are the most vulnerable in the A4 category when it comes to COVID-19 positivity rate.

The provincial administrator added that the vaccination will take place at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City.

Meanwhile, the province is expected to receive additional 4,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses by the middle of August.

As of Saturday, July 31, Negros Occidental has a total of 1,585 active cases of COVID-19./DGB, WDJ