The newly designated health chief in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) vowed has to exert more efforts to increase the number of vaccinated people in the region for the ongoing three-day special vaccination program.

At the start of Monday’s “Bakunahang Bangsamoro,” the localized version of the Department of Health (DOH) “Bakunahang Bayan” program, BARMM Health Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang said strategic programs are also in place to improve vaccination rates in the region.

Piang has appealed to BARMM residents to come out and visit local government units or barangay health stations to avail of the vaccines, primary doses, and booster shots.

“Let us help put an end to the pandemic by submitting ourselves to vaccination,” Piang said, assuring that the vaccines are “halal” or permissible to Islamic laws.

This year’s vaccination program is themed “Biyayang Proteksyon sa Paskong Pilipino”

He reminded every Bangsamoro that despite the reduced infection rate of the coronavirus disease 2019 and its subvariants, the threat remains and must be contained.

All barangays and towns in BARMM are participating in the special vaccination days that will last until Wednesday, he said.

As of Nov. 21 this year, BARMM was second nationwide with the lowest vaccination rate at 1.56 million fully vaccinated individuals and 1.78 million who only received their first dose.

MOH-BARMM eyes about 600,000 clients to receive vaccines during the Dec. 5 – 7 vaccination event. (PNA)