The sacred observance of the holy month of Ramadan this April is hampered by the low vaccination rate against Covid-19 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and health experts are worried it might cause a “mini surge” of cases.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a public briefing with President Duterte on Tuesday night, April 15, that the World Health Organization (WHO) and Department of Health (DOH) have expressed concern on the low vaccination turnout in BARMM as thousands of Muslims troop to mosques to observe Ramadan which began last April 3.
“Nagkaroon na po tayo ng celebration ng Ramadan at natatakot po ang WHO at DOH na baka magkaroon tayo ng mini surge sa area ng BARMM dahil napakababa pa po ng coverage (We had a celebration of Ramadan and the WHO and DOH are worried that it might cause a mini surge in the area of BARMM because of the low coverage there),” Galvez said.
Data from the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) showed that BARMM has fully vaccinated 957,766 individuals out of its target population of 3,516,278. This translates only to 27.24 percent vaccination rate or a rating of “poor coverage.”
Out of those fully vaccinated, only 78,643 have received their booster shot, which represents 2.24 percent of the target population.
Galvez said among the reasons why BARMM appears to be not keen in vaccinating its residents include vaccine preference since many people opt not to get halal-certified vaccines. False information about the vaccines, cultural beliefs, and inaccessibility also contributed to the low vaccination rate in the area.
“Napakalaki pa ng ating bubunuin sa area ng BARMM (We still have a lot of work to do in BARMM),” the vaccine czar said.
The situation is also similar in the Soccsksargen (Region 12) which covers South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.
NVOC data revealed the only 2,353,618 residents have been vaccinated in Region 12. This represents only 57.79 percent of its target population of 4,072,486.
All the 15 other regions – National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administration Region (CAR), Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and Caraga (Region 13) – have fully vaccinated at least 63 percent of their target population.
To address the low vaccination rate in BARMM, the NTF Against Covid-19, DOH, and UNICEF conducted a health seminar and workshop which sought to mobilize funds and resources for the ramped up inoculation effort in the region.
Part of the strategy is to use masjid and mosques as vaccination sites and Muslims can go there every Friday during their worship to have themselves vaccinated.
A “Special Vaccination Day” in BARMM will also be held in the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Marawi City, and Lamitan City in Basilian in May where the national government will focus its resources and manpower to the 71 municipalities in the covered areas.
The local government units (LGUs) committed to vaccinate 215,776 individuals out of the total 1,472,917 unvaccinated persons during the vaccination days.
The NTF will deploy the single-dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine in BARMM to expedite the vaccinate program there, Galvez noted.
“During Ramadan, ang mga malls pwedeng mgbigay ng discounts and even ‘yong BARMM pwedeng magbigay ng ayuda para maengganyo po ang ating mga magvavaccinate sa panahon ng Ramadan at itong darating na Mayo (During Ramadan, malls can give discounts and even the local government of BARMM can give food or cash assistance to encourage people to have themselves vaccinated during Ramadan and this coming May),” Galvez stated.
In total, the government has already fully vaccinated 66,230,305 individuals which is equivalent to 73.53 percent of the target population of 90 million Filipinos. Out of this number, a total of 12,208,931 individuals have received their booster shots or 16.92 percent of the target 72 million adult Filipinos who are eligible for the third shot.
For the pediatric vaccination, a total of 9,866,376 children aged 12 to 17 have received their first dose, representing 86.05 percent of the 12 million target population; while 2,245,511 children aged five to 11 have received one dose, which is 16.03 percent of the 14 million target population.