ILOILO – To sustain the momentum of the recent “Bayanihan Bakunahan” national coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination days, the provincial government is ready for a Round 2 next week, with the aim to inoculate more children aged 12 to 17.
According to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., in line with the second wave of mass vaccination on Dec. 15 to Dec. 17 is the “Brigada Bakuna” in strategic secondary schools that would involve the kids, their family members and the distribution of self-learning modules.
The local government units (LGUs) shall give incentives to participants of the “Brigada Bakuna,” according to Defensor, citing the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) Resolution No. 148-B.
But what kind of incentives?
This shall be determined by local chief executives, according to Defensor.
Defensor said the “Brigada Bakuna” would be in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd).
“(The) actual day(s) and strategic secondary campuses shall be determined by the city/municipal mayors and the DepEd,” said Defensor.
Iloilo targets to inoculate 227,662 youngsters, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The LGUs with the highest targets were: Oton (10,447), Passi City (9,469), Pototan (8,826), Lambunao (8,658), Dumangas (8,125), Carles (8,013), Miag-ao (7,944), Janiuay (7,513), Tigbauan (7,373), Calinog (7,103), Cabatuan (6,871), Barotac Nuevo (6,366), Pavia (6,537), Ajuy (6,145), San Joaquin (6,281), Barotac Viejo (5,386), Estancia (5,707), and Concepcion (5,074).
As of Dec. 3, about 55 percent of the target pediatric population received a dose of the vaccine.
The LGUs with the highest accomplishment so far in terms of pediatric vaccination were:
* Guimbal – 123 percent or 4,876 vaccinees out of 3,976 masterlisted
* Zarraga – 108 percent or 3,239 vaccinees out of 3,010
* Anilao – 78 percent or 2,646 out of 3,372
* Badiangan – 77 percent or 2,459 out of 3,175
* Banate – 76 percent or 2,889 out of 3,825
* San Dionsio – 75 percent or 3,419 out of 4,559
* Mina – 71 percent or 1,969 out of 2,768
* Carles – 70 percent or 5,642 out of 8,013
* Oton – 68 percent or 7,149 out of 10,477
* Cabatuan – 67 percent or 4,589 out of 6,871
On the other hand, the provincial government is tapping barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay tanods, barangay service points officers (BSPOs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNS), and barangay day care workers for the pre-registration of vaccinees ahead of the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” Part 2.
As to the general population, the province needs to inoculate 1,448,757 individuals to reach herd immunity.
As of Dec. 5, a total of 912, 404 individuals (63 percent) received at least one dose of the anti-COVID jabs, while544, 351 (38 percent) were fully vaccinated.
VAX ACCOMPLISHMENT
According to Defensor, Iloilo’s accomplishment rate increased in the three-day (Nov. 29 to Dec. 1) national vaccination drive.
A total of 137,555 people were vaccinated, PHO data showed, although this was lower compared to the Department of Health’s (DOH) target of 90,000 daily.
But in Part 2, Defensor said he could make adjustments, such as adding more vaccination sites.
“We will re-group and we will do it again. Makampanya man kami gihapon sa aton pumoluyo nga magpabakuna kita,” he said.
Defensor is also optimistic the province could reach 70 percent in first dose vaccination after Dec. 17./PN