The provincial government of Bataan will launch a five-day COVID-19 vaccination drive with “incentives” to stop the rising cases of infections.
Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III said they will give prizes to those who will have themselves vaccinated during the “Bakunahan Bayanihan sa Barangay: Panalo ang Bakunado at Boosted na Bataeño” that will run from July 20–23 and 25.
Daily raffles will be held in each of the 20 vaccination sites with cash prizes ranging from P500 to P1,000.
On July 25, a grand draw will be held in each of the sites with 200 winners getting P2,000 each; 100 winning P5,000 each; and 60 receiving P10,000 each.
Aside from the cash prizes, laptops are at stake for 20 winners and tablets for another 20 winners.
Aside from the cash prizes, laptops are at stake for 20 winners and tablets for another 20 winners.
Approved for vaccination are children five years old and above for the first and second dose; those 12 years old and above for the third dose or first booster shot; and immunocompromised, senior citizens and healthcare workers for their fourth dose or second booster shot.
In a forum, the governor, together with Vice Governor Cris Garcia and Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Rosanna Buccahan urged the barangay chairpersons in 237 villages to persuade through house-to-house campaigns those who have not yet been vaccinated or those still not receiving booster shots to go to 20 vaccination sites in the province.
As of July 18, Bataan has 182 active COVID–19 cases with 58 admitted to hospitals and 124 on home/facility quarantine.
On July 2, Bataan recorded 56 active cases but in previous months, it was down to 10.
Buccahan, however, said the COVID-19 situation is still manageable as hospital bed utilization and occupancy rate are at a low 16.5 percent.
Of the total 588 beds in 15 facilities, only 97 were occupied, leaving 491 still vacant.
“Let us intensify our campaign for booster shots to achieve the 90 percent of our province mates vaccinated.”
“But, let us not wait to use those beds in the future and hopefully not fall short. Thus, let us intensify our campaign for booster shots to achieve the 90 percent of our province mates vaccinated,” she said.
Buccahan noted they are after 452,000 individuals who have not yet received their booster dose.
“There are a lot of kids 12 years old and above that, we have not yet vaccinated. So, hopefully before classes open, our mothers and fathers will make sure their children who will go to schools for face-to-face classes are ready and protected,” she said.
Meanwhile, the governor said the vaccination drive covers all 237 barangays in 11 towns and one city in Bataan.
He added that vaccination will continue even after the five-day drive.
