The Department of Health said there will be 1,278 health workers in the Cordillera who will help in the three-day national vaccination program of the government.
Dr. Amelita Pa-ngilinan, assistant regional director and spokesperson of the DOH-Cordillera, said they are targeting to vaccinate 208,000 residents in the six provinces and Baguio City who have not yet received the Covid-19 vaccine.
There will be 459 vaccination areas in the communities aside from the 123 mobile vaccination teams that will visit homes to check on the residents and assure those who are willing to be jabbed will be served.
They will also do an information education campaign to individuals who refuse to receive the jab by explaining the benefits of the vaccination.
The target of the region is 68,000 individuals vaccinated during the three-day activity.
Pangilinan said members of the Philippine National Police, local government unit workers, and other personnel of the government have been ordered to help to ensure the success of the activity.
“May utos sa taas na lahat tayo ay gagalaw,” Pangilinan said.
She added they went to the different municipalities of the provinces in the region to see the actual situation on the ground.
She said they encountered few households and individuals in Cabugao and Conner in Apayao and in Tanudan, Kalinga province who have made up their minds not to receive the jab.
“There is a religious sectarian group where members refuse to accept the medical explanation and insist that it is the creator’s will if they die of Covid,” she said.
She said some have been convinced by their church leaders who were afflicted with Covid-19 and survived even if unvaccinated, adding to the people’s belief that they will survive the virus if infected even without getting the vaccine.
Pangilinan said they intend to talk to them and convince them to get vaccinated for their own safety.
“We are set and ready. We call on those who have not received the vaccine to come forward because we will be sending medical personnel to the communities to assure that they receive the services of the government thru the vaccination program,” she said. – PNA
