Ilocos Norte receives first batch of COVID-19 vaccines, rolls out vaccination to medical, health workers
Published on 2021-03-07
Last Updated 2021-03-10 08:45:46
The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccine at the Provincial last Friday, few days after its arrival in the country last February 28.
A total of 14,400 vials of the said vaccine were turned over to the Department of Health-Center for Health Development I in La Union yesterday.
Almost 2,500 doses were allocated for Ilocos Norte, specifically for Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital & Medical Center (MMMH&MC), Laoag City General Hospital (LCGH), and Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH).
Among the hospitals in the region which were distributed with the vaccine include Region 1 Medical Center and Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (Pangasinan); Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center and La Union Medical Center (La Union); and Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital (Ilocos Sur).
"This is a happy day for us in Ilocos Norte that we see the light at the end of the tunnel. This may be the beginning of the end but it's not quite the end. This is something that we have to remember and be mindful of. Alam ko na sawang-sawa na tayo sa COVID-19 at sa pagsuot ng face mask at face shield, but as we know, kahit na may bakuna, continue to wear mask and to distance for your safety and for the safety of others," Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc stated.
This first batch of vaccines is part of the 600,000 doses donated by the China-based Sinovac Biotech Limited.
The ceremonial vaccination has rolled out yesterday, prioritizing health workers from the identified hospitals in the province.
"Hopefully, parating na rin yung Aztrazeneca vaccines natin this 3rd quarter of the year. Let us make sure that we know what we're doing and organize this roll-out, safe and sound," Gov. Marcos Manotoc concluded.
