29 areas in Lanao del Sur targeted for special vax days

Photo by Ministry of Health

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur --Around 29 areas in Lanao del Sur with low vaccination coverage are targeted for the 'special vaccination days' in the Bangsamoro region next month, according to the region's Ministry of Health (MOH). 

OIC Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas said the areas that will be covered in the province are the municipalities of Malabang, Lumba Bayabao, Masiu, Marantao, Maguing, Bayang, Balindong, Ganassi, Tugaya, Balabagan, Madalum, Piagapo, Tamparan, Binidayan, Bacolod-Kalawi, Saguiaran, Taraka, Kapai, and Lumbatan.

For Marawi City, the target areas are IDP shelters and host communities as well as barangays Dimalna, Lomidong, Cabingan, Biaba Damag, Rapasun, Basak Malutlut, East Basak, Poblacion, and Bangon.

Abas said the special vaccination days in BARMM will be conducted on May 16-20, 2022 to increase the vaccination coverage in the region.

According to him, despite the efforts and the conduct of daily inoculation, the vaccination coverage in the region is still at 28% of the target population. They attributed this to vaccine hesitancy among the Bangsamoro people especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

"Yung iba medyo violent pa yung opposition at reaction sa pagbabakuna [the others are quite violent in their opposition and reaction to the vaccination]," he said in a press conference Monday, April 25.

Meanwhile, Abbas warned unvaccinated Bangsamoro of the possibility of an outbreak in the region if herd immunity will not be attained.

"Kapag hindi na reach (herd immunity) ay posibleng magkaroon ng outbreak dito sa atin dahil konti lang ang nabakunahan [if the herd immunity is not reached, it is possible to have an outbreak here as only few have been vaccinated]," he said.

With this, the health minister renewed his call for unvaccinated Bangsamoro people to get vaccinated and be protected against Covid-19. He emphasized that the protection is not only for themselves but also for their families and the community as a whole. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)