ILOILO City – This southern city has the highest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination accomplishment outside the National Capital Region.
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6 showed 291,010 or 86.82 percent of its 335,172 target population have been fully vaccinated.
Iloilo City has a population of 478,817.
Meantime, 103.18 percent or 345,825 individuals have at least received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“As father of the city, I am hoping for a happier Christmas in store for the Ilonggos. We are hoping for a high vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity, thus opening more activities, giving jobs and reviving the economy,” said Treñas.
The city mayor, however, emphasized that there is still a need to inoculate more individuals.
“We are pushing for (vaccination) approval for those five to 11 (year olds). We are also waiting for the exact date to start (giving) booster shots to frontliners, seniors and those with comorbidities,” Treñas said.
Iloilo City started vaccinating eligible minors yesterday, Nov. 2, three days after its pilot vaccination among children with comorbidities on Oct. 29.
The mayor said vaccinating minors is also in preparation for the return of face-to-face classes.
The city’s vaccination is open not only for residents but also for students in city schools who are not from the city.
He added that the city would also open its vaccination to minors whose parents are working here.
“We only need to see the employment identification cards of the parents and birth certificate of the minor. We need to give protection to as many as possible,” Treñas added./PN