ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 assured residents of Western Visayas it has enough supply of coronavirus virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines as it continues to closely coordinate with school officials to encourage students to get the primary series and booster shots in preparations for the full face-to-face classes in November.
Data from the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 showed that as of June 27 this year, 404,645 learners in the region have availed themselves of their first dose, and 376,161 are fully vaccinated out of their 2,102,865 recorded learners.
DOH-6 assistant regional director Dr. Sophia Pulmones said on Wednesday they continue to encourage, especially those 5 to 11 years old, to get vaccinated to increase the coverage for the age group.
Of the 756,418 targets for the five to 11 age group, 383,372, or 50.68 percent have received their first dose, and 307,833, or 40.70 percent are fully vaccinated.
The 12-to 17-age group has a high inoculation accomplishment reaching 126.42 percent for the first dose, and 116.89 percent for fully vaccinated, according to the DOH Regional Vaccination Operations Center report as of July 25.
“We have no problems with the supply of vaccines. We have enough vaccines for our target population for primary and booster dose,” Pulmones said.
For the five to 11 age group, there are 129,728 doses of available vaccines and 637,679 doses for the 12 to 17 years old. Pfizer will be administered to the learners.
On Tuesday, students from the Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus joined the launching of the “PinasLakas” vaccination campaign and encouraged other learners to submit get their Covid-19 shots.
“Let us get boosted, especially that the face-to-face classes will already resume to ensure that you are safe as well as your peers in school,” said incoming Grade 12 learner Reah Joy Repospolo, 17.
Incoming Grade 10, Franchess Dianne Artillero, 15 said the booster shot provides people with extra protection.
“Hopefully they can already make up their mind to get vaccinated because it is also for their own good and it can help speed up development of the country because we can all go out,” she added.
Incoming Grade 8, Kaycee Pernito, 14, said she availed of the booster dose to prepare for the face-to-face classes. (PNA/PN )
