Dr. Edvir Jane Montaner, Department of Health-Region 12 immunization coordinator (PNA GenSan photo) GENERAL SANTOS CITY -The Department of Health (DOH) and rural health units (RHUs) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) are all set for the upcoming three-day national vaccination campaign for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) that aims to cover some 935,688 individuals. Dr. Edvir Jane Montaner, the DOH-12 immunization coordinator, said on Friday they have already finalized the necessary preparations in coordination with the RHUs for the nationwide mass vaccination activities set on November 29 to December 1. She said they are targeting to inoculate some 311,894 individuals per day in Soccsksargen's four provinces and four cities, as well as Cotabato City in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Soccsksargen comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, and Kidapawan. Montaner said s
Dr. Edvir Jane Montaner, Department of Health-Region 12 immunization manager (PNA GenSan file photo) GENERAL SANTOS CITY -Health authorities in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) urged local government units (LGUs) to further accelerate the vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) for their vulnerable elderly population. Dr. Edvir Jane Montaner, Department of Health (DOH)-Region 12 immunization manager, said the region needs to increase the vaccination coverage among senior citizens or priority group A2, which remained way below their target as of Wednesday. She said out of the 314,465 eligible A2 population, only 128,153 or 40.75 percent are so far fully vaccinated. Montaner said the National Vaccine Operations Center (NVOC) has made the A2 inoculation accomplishment as a requirement for the expansion of the Covid-19 mass vaccination to the pediatric group or those aged 12 to 17 years old. "We cannot expand to our pediatric group if we will not reach at least 50 percent of o
Dr. Edvir Jane Montaner, Department of Health-Region 12 immunization manager (PNA GenSan photo) GENERAL SANTOS CITY -The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 12 is pushing for the opening of more vaccination sites for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to further fast track the continuing mass rollout in the area. Dr. Edvir Jane Montaner, DOH-12 immunization manager, said on Tuesday they are continually encouraging and lobbying with the local government units to increase the current 333 vaccination sites within the region. She said the move will help expand the area's inoculation coverage and accomplishment, which is "still way below our targets." As of Oct. 11, a DOH-12 report said a total of 1,196,571 Covid-19 vaccines have already been administered since March in the entire region, with 575,766 individuals fully vaccinated and 620,805 waiting for their second dose. The vaccination coverage so far is only 34.29 percent of the targeted 3,490,115 individuals who comprise