Cebu City Health appeals to use J&J for residents with comorbidities
Health workers manning the vaccination site at the SM Seaside City Cebu, told CDN Digital that some 1,600 Cebu City residents are scheduled to be vaccinated today, August 3. | file photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Health Department (CHD) will be appealing that the Johnsons & Johnsons (J&J) vaccines be used for individuals with comorbidities.
This was the hope of Doctor Jeffrey Ibones, the CHD head so that the vaccines can be used for those who want to be inoculated especially the A3 priority group or those with comorbidities.
Ibones said they will first course through the appeal to Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama who is also the city’s vaccine czar. Then Rama is expected to bring the matter up to the IATF.
“Sa J&J, naa tay mga 5,000 nabilin exclusive for senior citizens. Pero nihangyo ko ni Vice Mayor (Michael Rama) nga by next week pwede nato ihatag sa lain, specifically sa katong naay comorbidities.”
“Ang J&J pwede man gyod sa A2 (seniors) ug A3 (with comorbidities),” said Ibones.
Ibones said that the J&J vaccines should be allocated to all those who qualify so as not to waste the vaccine, although it is not clear and how long the vaccine needs to be inoculated before spoiling.
Still, the roll-out to seniors has significantly improved in the last weeks as senior citizens have been eager to get vaccinated with the one-shot vaccine.
“Ato lang pud iremind atong mga seniors nga dili lang gyod pwede ang mga walk-in kay textan raman gyod sila sa schedule,” said Ibones.
Almost 30,000 senior citizens have already been vaccinated in Cebu City.
As of now, there are still 4,000 Sinovac vaccines being inoculated to A4 priority group or workers in selected vaccination sites, but most sites are catering to second dose inoculation.
Ibones said the city should receive more doses of the Sinovac vaccines tomorrow, August 4, 2021, thereby increasing the roll-out period for the first dose of the vaccines.
The city has inoculated 187,000 vaccines for both first and second doses.
The CHD encourages more individuals to register for the vaccination program amid the surge in cases as the city ensures that even under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, the roll-outs will continue. /rcg
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