BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental: The Provincial Health Office has called on 31 local government units to purchase biomedical refrigerators and cold-storage boxes to store coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines as part of the provincial government’s preparations for national vaccination. Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said the Covid-19 vaccines that will arrive are competing for space with vaccines for measles and rubella. Tumimbang added that the provincial government will hold the Covid vaccines and deliver them to the 31 cities and municipalities. Earlier, Gov. Eugenio Lacson said he had asked for three million doses from the national government to reach 70 percent of the province’s total population or some 1.5 million Negrenses, needing two doses each. The 100,000 doses, secured by the provincial government from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. for medical frontliners, are expected to arrive in the third quarter of the year.
