BARMM starts special COVID-19 vaccination days in Maguindanao

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), through its Ministry of Health (MOH), on Monday started its weeklong special vaccination drive in Maguindanao to improve the province's COVID-19 vaccination rate.

According to Dr. Gina Macapeges, chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office-Maguindanao's Technical Division, only 29% or 322,433 of their total population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

"As suggested by the World Health Organization, we need to reach 80% of the community to attain herd immunity. During the five-day SVD (special vaccination days), we aim to inoculate around 15% of the eligible population or 166,757 individuals," Macapeges said during a kickoff ceremony at the Bangsamoro Government Center.

A 10-kilo sack of rice from the Ministry of Social Services and Development is given to vaccine recipients during the kick-off ceremony, according to the Bangsamoro Information Office.

The special vaccination activities will be conducted in schools, private hospitals, public markets, military camps, and government offices, with mobile teams to reach far-flung areas.

BARMM chief minister Ahod Ebrahim said the COVID-19 vaccine is halal and necessary as he encouraged the public to get inoculated to prevent a spike of COVID-19 infections in the region.

"While the BARMM has been fortunate to have a relatively low number of COVID cases, we still need to act our gain to increase the number of vaccinated individuals if we truly wish to return to what was once known as normal," he said.

As of May 15, BARMM has 16 active cases, according to the Bangsamoro Information Office.

Department of Health Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama said only 28% of the BARMM’s population have been fully vaccinated.

"Our accomplishment in the region is still at 28% which is equal to less than a million population, and we still have to vaccinate around 2.2 million to attain 80% of the 4.3 million population of BARMM," he said.

Special Vaccination Days were also conducted in Basilan and Sulu from May 11 to 13. The program will also be held in Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur simultaneously this week. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News