COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced in a meeting Tuesday, April 12, that it is set to hold a region-wide special Covid-19 inoculation days next month to meet the region’s 70-percent herd immunity on or before June 2022.
The initiative aims to curb Covid-19 surge in the region considering that its vaccination rate is still relatively low. As of April 10, BARMM has already administered an overall total dose of 1,966,281.
“Our vaccination rate is still low at 27.5% or 960,089 fully vaccinated individuals. We hope that these special vaccination days will address our low vaccination rate,” said Saida Diocolano-Ali, MOH public information officer.
Ali also mentioned MOH is hopeful that 215,776 or more individuals will participate during the special vaccination days, which will be held on the following dates:
- Maguindanao on May 5-7 (at least 70,321 jabs);
- Marawi City on May 5-7 (at least 70,321 jabs);
- Sulu on May 11-13 (at least 25,500 jabs);
- Basilan on May 11-13 & May 16-18 (at least 35,400 jabs);
- Lamitan City on May 11-13 (at least 70,321 jabs);
- Lanao del Sur on May 16-20 (at least 50,250 jabs); and
- Tawi-Tawi on May 18-20 (at least 18,405 jabs)
Officer-in-Charge Health Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas stated that the fight against Covid-19 needs a multi-sectoral approach and engagement from all stakeholders of the society, hence the special vaccination drive will be an expanded partnership of BARMM ministries and offices, including development partners and local non-government organizations.
“Beating Covid-19 cannot be attained by MOH alone, it should be a multi-stakeholder approach because each partner has crucial and unique roles in influencing the public to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Abas.
In view of this matter, Executive Director Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan of the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta issued the Religious Guideline No. 32 last April 12 which stated that “Vaccination is a preventive and precautionary measure against pandemic diseases, a sort of life-saving and does not invalidate the fasting when taking the vaccines during fasting days.”
“Gathering in the places of worship is an opportunity for the vaccination team to have more to be vaccinated after performing their prayers. They may do so in a specific room beside or at the back part of the mosque or the place of worship,” the guideline further stated. (Kasan M. Usop, Jr./BIO)
