SAN FERNANDO CITY, July 2 (PIA) – – The twelfth batch of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines allocated for Region 1 arrived in the afternoon on Friday, July 2 at the Department of Health Ilocos Center for Health Development (DOH CHD-1) here.

Medical Officer IV Rheuel Bobis, COVID-19 focal of the DOH CHD-1, said this batch is composed of 29,600 doses of Sinovac and 2,000 doses of Gamaleya Sputnik V.

He said the arrival of the Sinovac vaccines will be administered as second dose.

“Mahalagang mahalaga na dumating ito on time para po mabakunahan na natin ng second dose ang mga nauna nang nabakunahan ng first dose,” Bobis said.

On the other hand, the second batch of Gamaleya Sputnik V will be used as first dose vaccines.

Bobis informed that the shots are still allocated for Priority Groups A1 or the frontline health workers, A2 or senior citizens, and A3 or individuals with comorbidities.

As of June 30, he reported that the total number of COVID-19 vaccines administered to the said priority groups in the region is at 334,589.

Of this number, 253,710 were given the first dose while 80,879 individuals were given the second dose

“We are steadily increasing in the number of vaccinated individuals, and we are hoping na with the advent ng steady supply ng bakuna, mas tataas at mas bibilis pa po ang ating vaccination dito sa Region 1,” said Bobis.

To date, 471,380 doses of vaccines have arrived in Region 1.

It is comprised of 330,580 Sinovac; 96,400 AstraZeneca; 35,100 Pfizer; and the 9,300 Sputnik V. 

Meanwhile, Bobis recognized the local government units and the health care workers who are at the forefront in the ongoing mass immunization.

“Kayo po ang bida, kayo po ang hero rito sa ating vaccination campaign. Kami po sa DOH ay walang sawang tutulong at mag-a-assist sa inyo para lahat tayo ay mag-heal nang sama-sama. So together we can heal as one,” he said. (JCR/AMB/JPD, PIA La Union)