MHO Lubuagan did ‘Info on wheels’ strategy for Covid Jab campaign to increase vax rate

Lubuagan, Kalinga - To increase the target number of vaccinated citizens during the implementation of the National Vaccination Days, the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Lubuagan took the sharing of vaccine information to the streets to convince their constituents to get jabbed.

Dubbed as Health Information On Wheels, the approach is for people to hear relevant health information even if they are inside their homes.

MHO Public Health Nurse Ceasar Manalwap said the strategy used a megaphone going around barangays telling people about the importance of the vaccine.

He said the turnout was positive with better vax rates compared to those done before. He added that it also helped in explaining the efficacy of the vaccine as there are still cases of vaccine hesitancy in the municipality. "We need to do the best we can to educate and convince people, as there are still some who do not believe that CoVid vaccine is 100% safe and effective. There are also those who are maybe afraid or doubtful after learning that they may still be infected with the virus even if they are vaccinated," he admitted.

He said that with the announcement made in the streets, they were able to clarify misinformation, answer their queries, assure their safety, and convince more to take the jab. He also informed that the Health Information on Wheels and the National Vaccine Day implementation wouldn't be successfully accomplished if not with the support of the LGU of Lubuagan and its barangays and other national line agencies. "We are thankful that we were provided assistance by different agencies like the Philippine National Police - Lubuagan. They were the ones who helped us in terms of car mobility. We were able to reach barangays, even those that are far apart," he said.

"The volunteers, BJMP, and BFP were also present to help us during the national vaccination days. Their support to the health office is fundamental in achieving our goal of inoculating more iLubuagen," he added. The MHO has listed a total of 263 individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 from the two-day National Vaccination Day (111 on February 10 and 152 on February 11) that took place at Lubuagan Eco-Tourism and Cultural Center. The number altogether reflected recipients aged 12 and up, including Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) who received their 1st, 2nd and booster doses. Vaccines given were Aztrazenica, Janssen, Sinovac, and Pfizer. To date, there are 4,867 individuals in the municipality who are partially vaccinated against COVID-19, covering 66.48% of its population, while 4,254 or 58.11% of the population are fully vaccinated.

Manalwap also informed that the National Vaccination Day shall be extended until February 18 based on the latest advisory of the Department of Health. Meanwhile, vaccination is done daily at the Municipal Health Office whenever a vaccine is readily available. Those who are to receive their 1st dose shall have to bring with them their ID or Birth Certificate before inoculation, vaccine card, and original vaccine card for those who will be receiving their 2nd dose and booster shots respectively.

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