ILOILO – Mass vaccination could be the “only and most effective” way to end the war against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the Department of Health (DOH).
All eligible Western Visayans are enjoined to participate in the national vaccination drive on Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, said Director Adriano Suba-an of DOH in Region 6 during yesterday’s “Bayanihan Bakunahan” launching of the provincial government.
Suba-an said if the provincial government reaches at least 70 percent of the target population before the year ends, “we are going to celebrate a happy Christmas.”
As of Nov. 25, data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed 745,651 individuals or 51 percent of the target population have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine. They were healthcare workers – 67,199; senior citizens – 117,745; persons with comorbidities – 135,745; uniformed personnel – 191,602; indigents – 96,033, and others – 864.
A total of 502,341 were fully vaccinated.
The provincial government needs to vaccinate 1,448,757 individuals to achieve herd immunity.
Suba-an, meanwhile, lauded the provincial government for the continued decline in coronavirus cases.
Iloilo had 1,176 active cases as of Nov. 25.
In terms of healthcare utilization rate, 32 percent of beds dedicated to COVID patients were occupied.
“The number speaks a lot of efforts from our frontliners, stakeholders and government agencies,” Suba-an said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the launching of the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” was a “wakeup call” for the public to get vaccinated during the three-day nationwide drive.
The provincial government will augment logical requirements to the local government units, said Defensor.
The launching was graced by Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 director, Jose Roberto Nuñez; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial director, Teodora Sumagaysay; and the provincial government’s partner non-government organizations, Philippine Red Cross, Rotary Club and Relief International.
Also present were Board Member Rolly Distura, representing the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, officials of the West Visayas State University and Iloilo Doctors College (IDC) College of Medicine and provincial government department heads and chiefs of district hospitals.
After the program, a caravan going to the five congressional districts was held and participated by the district hospitals, the Provincial Civil Defense Office, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The province targets to inoculate 338,716 individuals from42 towns and one component city during the three-day “Bakunahan Bayanihan.”
Region 6, meanwhile, targets to inoculate over 1.2 million people:
* Aklan – 79, 521
* Antique – 115, 217
* Capiz – 133,576
* Guimaras – 28, 699
* Negros Occidental – 516, 807
* Bacolod City – 66,171
Iloilo City was not included in the list because it has already reached a 119 percent vaccination accomplishment (first dose coverage)./PN
