THE LOCAL government here received a total of 14,400 Johnson & Johnson (J&J) single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccines and started administering these to individuals under the A3 and A4 categories.
During Friday’s Bida Bakunado program on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said that the city government has started rolling out the vaccines for senior citizens and those with comorbidities, or the A2 and A3 categories.
“At the moment, naa tay niabot nga Johnson and Johnson na brand. Pipila ra ang niabot. Dili matagaan tanan (A small number of Johnson and Johnson vaccines arrived in the city. However, only a few can avail of the vaccine),” Schlosser said.
The Davao health official stressed that they are giving priority to those dwelling in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) areas.
They also allocated a small portion for the downtown areas.
At present, the local government is heightening its quarantine restrictions to prevent the possible surge of COVID-19 infection amid confirmed cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant.
The vaccination sites where the J&J vaccines will be administered include the Dizon Elementary School, Malagos Elementary School, Paquibato District Hospital, Calinan Central Elementary School, Davao City National High School, Gaisano Mall Bajada, Gaisano Mall Toril, SM Ecoland, and Buhangin Central Elementary School.
Schlosser noted the growing interest of Davaoeños in availing of the Janssen vaccines.
She said this is because the vaccine is single-shot, unlike other brands that require double doses with intervals. With just one jab, one will be considered fully vaccinated and doesn’t need to return for another dose.
She further appealed to the public to refrain from using fake documents to avail of the vaccine so that those who are considered high-risk could get a shot as they are the most vulnerable against COVID-19.
“Naga-hangyo mi sa City Health Office ug Department of Health na dili nato i-fake atong mga proof of comorbidities (The City Health Office and the Department of Health appealed to the public to please do not use fake documents),” she said.
For senior citizens who want to get vaccinated, they must present their IDs or proof of identification. Those with comorbidities must show proof including medical certificates, prescriptions, and medical abstracts, among others.
“Ipahinumdum lang namo sa inyoha nga naa tay balaod ana for falsification of documents. Hopefully, maging honest ta total dili lang man ni nga brand ang makaprotekta sa atoa against COVID19. Unta tanan magpa-vaccine bisan unsa pa nga brand (We would like to remind everyone that falsification of documents is against the law. Hopefully, we will be honest since this is not the only vaccine that can protect us from COVID-19,” she said.
