ILOILO City – More than a hundred thousand Western Visayans were vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the first day of the three-day “Bayanihan Bakunahan” or national vaccination days.
Initial data received by the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 as of 5 p.m. yesterday showed 112,941 individuals got their COVID-19 jabs from more than 500 vaccination sites across the region.
A total of 103,265 received their first dose, 8,314 had their second dose and 981 got their booster shots.
Earlier, DOH set a three-day target of 1.2 million vaccinated people but this was slashed to 791,038 based on the commitment of local government units (LGUs).
The daily target was hence adjusted to 263,678 broken per province and highly urbanized city:
* Aklan – 26,530
* Antique – 15,000
* Capiz – 44,525
* Guimaras – 9,566
* Iloilo province – 90,000
* Negros Occidental – 50,000
* Bacolod City – 22,057
* Iloilo City – 6,000
Given the latest data, Region 6 vaccinated 42.83 percent of the daily target.
“Some mayors and governors naka-estimate man sila sang ila preparations in terms of reaching their respective targets,” said Dr. Jane Juanico, head of DOH-6’s data management.
“There are also logistical concerns at the national level, especially on the arrival of collaterals needed for the vaccination,” she added.
Juanico noted that the 15 million in national target vaccinees has also been adjusted to nine million.
Meanwhile, DOH-6 director, Dr. Adriano Suba-an said there could be challenges in the vaccination drive.
“One of these is to make sure we’re able to make our vaccination accessible to everyone. We are going even to the farthest areas kung saan marami pa ang hindi nabakunahan,” said Suba-an, citing geographically isolated disadvantaged areas in the region.
Suba-an thanked all its partners from national government agencies, non-government and civil society organizations, community-based organizations, religious sector and LGUs.
“There are challenges but we are helping one another – that is why it’s called bayanihan,” Suba-an stressed.
The vaccination sites for the three-day national vaccination are open to all eligible population aged 12 years old and above, be it for their first dose, second dose or booster doses among healthcare workers, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.
“Let us take advantage of this three-day Bayanihan Bakunahan until Dec. 1. Your LGUs are making the COVID-19 vaccines more accessible to you,” Suba-an said.
DOH-6 enjoined the public to adhere to the minimum public health standards such as wearing of facemasks, physical distancing, frequent hand washing and sanitizing, and avoiding crowded and enclosed spaces.
“These health protocols have long been our defense from COVID-19 transmission. But the only way we can get protection from severe COVID-19 complications and even death is having a vaccine. Let us grab this chance,” Suba-an said./PN
