BACOLOD City – The provinces of Negros Occidental and Antique both exceeded their target vaccinees during the first two days of the nationwide inoculation drive “Bayanihan Bakunahan,” according to the Department of Health (DOH).
“We can see the efforts of our LGUs (local government units) and volunteers. Their daily accomplishments have doubled or tripled,” said Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, medical officer III of DOH in Region 6.
Negros Occidental vaccinated 68,911 people on Nov. 29 and 58,662 on Nov. 30 while Antique had 16,591 vaccinees on the first day and 15,189 the next day.
Negros Occidental and Antique committed to vaccinate 50,000 and 15,000 daily, respectively, Natalaray said.
However, other LGUs in the region failed to meet their targets. Their vaccination rollouts were plagued by vaccine hesitancy and brand preferences, said Natalaray.
The two days partial accomplishment of the three-day massive vaccination showed 46.51 percent or 367,980 of 791,034 the eligible target population in Western Visayas were vaccinated.
Natalaray called on vaccine advocates to help explain to the public the advantages of being inoculated against the COVID-19 for more to show up even beyond the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” activities.(with PNA/PN)