The Vaccine Cluster of Davao COVID-19 Task Force has scheduled a vaccination rollout for the indigenous people (IP) population of Marilog District on November 19, 2021, as part of the Davao City government’s efforts to achieve herd immunity before the year ends.
Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte bared this on November 15 during the 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).
“Dunay undercurrents of kahadlok ang mga tawo kani sa dili pag sinabtanay sa mga tribo, problema sa mga yuta diha sa Marilog involved myembro sa tribo (There are undercurrents of fear among residents there due to a misunderstanding of tribes, land conflict in Marilog involving tribe members),” she said of some reasons behind the lumad’s hesitance to get vaccinated.
The Vaccine Cluster has earlier observed a low turnout of vaccinees from the IP community.
Mayor Duterte said the security cluster of the Davao COVID-19 Task Force, led by the Public Safety Security Command Center (PSSCC), made some interventions in the area.
She said, “Ang desisyon man gud sa pagpabakuna (The decision to get vaccinated) is made in the moment nga mulingkod ngadto (that they sit there at the vaccination site). At least they agreed to set a schedule, that’s a positive sign.”
The mayor said a similar vaccination rollout will also be set in Paquibato District to cater to more lumad.
She also said that the city is rushing to reach herd immunity for the first doses on December 31, 2021, as mandated by the national government.
“Atoang strategy gyud karon (Our strategy now) is making the vaccines mobile, pagpangita gyud sa mga tawo nga duna pay hesitancy sa pagpabakuna (looking for those who are still hesitant to get vaccinated). Abri naman ang mga vaccination centers. Naa gihapon sa data ang portion sa mga tawo nga dili magpabakuna. Kining mga tawo dili muadto og vaccination center (The vaccination centers are already open. Our data shows a portion of people who do not want to be vaccinated. They are those who do not want to go to vaccination centers),” Mayor Duterte said.
Aside from the lumad, the Vaccine Cluster is also looking for other unvaccinated seniors who do not want to go to vaccination centers, who fear vaccination, or those being prevented from going by their family members.
“Why seniors? Sila pinakamataas og deaths, higher risk mamatay sa COVID-19 (They post higher deaths, higher risk to die due to COVID-19) as well as persons with comorbidities, mga naga dialysis ug dunay sakit nga diabetes (those undergoing dialysis and have diabetes),” she added.
As of November 14, Davao City has administered 951,686 first doses or 73.71 percent and 875,080-second jabs or 67.31 percent.CIO