92% of BJMP inmates already vaccinated

MANILA – Ninety-eight percent of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in jail facilities managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) have been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Chief Inspector Xavier Solda, BJMP spokesperson, said in a radio interview on Sunday that from among 129,283 PDL, a total of 119,175 have at least one of the primary doses.

From the total, 6.5 percent of the inmates are waiting for their second doses while 4.81 percent or 6,215 have not been inoculated yet.

To expedite the inoculation process, Solda noted that the BJMP is coordinating with local government units for their inmates to be included in the allocation.

“We have to schedule the vaccination and coordinate it too with DOH (Department of Health) and the local health units since most of these PDL are newly committed while few have medical concerns,” Solda said. “We are targeting the soonest time possible and available vaccines.”

Since the pandemic started in March 2020, Solda disclosed that 5,019 Covid-19 cases were recorded among inmates.

Fifty-four died while only nine active cases remain.

They also have “Ligtas (Safe) Covid Centers” where PDL with Covid-like symptoms taken.