MORE students in Basilan and Sulu were given jabs against Covid19 during the special vaccination days initiative organized by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ministry of Health.

The program aimed to increase the low vaccination rate in the region.

Norada Unga, barangay captain of Tuyang, Sulu, provided free food to the children as part of the local government unit’s strategy in encouraging more minors to get vaccinated.

“Our goal is to get more kids like our indigenous kids (the Sama and Badjao) to get vaccinated in preparation for the upcoming face-to-face school opening,” Unga said.

Teams from the MOH regional office in Cotabato City were deployed to the two island provinces to monitor the SVD that was held from May 11 to 13.

The team for Sulu was led by MOH Director Dr. Ahmad Fawadz Israel. He was accompanied by Nehama Nemertina Singki of Sulu Integrated Provincial Health Office.

The team for Basilan was led by MOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Abdulhalik Kasim.

“Mayroon tayong na-identify at target na medyo mababa at kulang ‘yung mga number ng tao na nabakunahan. Ito ‘yung gusto natin mabigyan ng pansin, para tumaas ang resulta ng special vaccination,” Kasim said.

Meanwhile, the vaccination of children in Tawi-Tawi island will be held on May 18 to 20, while in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, it will be on May 16 to 20.