THE Department of Health has feared a “mini surge” may occur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as low COVID-19 vaccination rate reported in the area.
“Yes, there’s always that possibility of a mini-surge kasi alam naman natin na importante ang pagbabakuna,” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said in a briefing on Wednesday.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday appealed to BARMM residents to get immunized against COVID-19 to prevent another surge.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said only 27.31% or 960,180 individuals are currently fully vaccinated in BARMM. Cabotaje and Galvez blamed disinformation for causing vaccine hesitancy among the residents.
The government has conducted special vaccination days in BARMM and placed inoculation sites near mosques, madrasahs (Islamic schools) and boarding houses.
BARMM’s Ministry of Health announced this week that a region-wide vaccination days will be held in May to finally meet the target 70% vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity in June.
Below is the schedule of vaccination days in BARMM:
-Maguindanao on May 5-7;
-Marawi City on May 5-7;
-Sulu on May 11-13;
-Basilan on May 11-13 and May 16-18;
-Lamitan City on May 11-13;
-Lanao del Sur on May 16-20; and
-Tawi-Tawi on May 18-20
Based on latest government data, COVID-19 infections in BARMM are currently at 25,819, of which 129 are currently ill patients.
