ILOILO City – Of the over half a million Western Visayans inoculated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the three-day National Vaccination Days (NVD) from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, a total of 161,842 were youngsters.
A partial cumulative count by the Department of Health (DOH), as of 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 2, showed 74.88 percent or 592,341 individuals were inoculated out of the 791,034 target.
A total of 101,096 adults and 97,685 essential workers also received their shots in over 500 vaccination sites across the region.
The highest vaccination coverage was posted on the first day, Nov. 29, with 207,356.
A total of 180,434 were vaccinated on the second day and 204,551 on the third day.
Of the over half million vaccinated, 501,106 received their first jab; 79,979 second dose and 11,256 booster dose.
Negros Occidental had the most number of vaccinees at 213,291 followed by Iloilo province with 134,500; Bacolod City (70,752); Capiz (51,699); Antique (51,150); Aklan (29,459); Iloilo City (21,208); and Guimaras (20,282).
Dr. Adriano Suba-an, director of DOH-6, thanked local government units, national government agencies, civil society and community-based organizations, religious groups and volunteers.
He encouraged all eligible residents to get vaccinated to prevent severe COVID-19 and ultimately achieve herd immunity.
He also emphasized that regardless of the brand, all COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
However, even after vaccination, the public must still observe the minimum public health standards like wearing of facemask, physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and avoiding crowded places.
As of Dec. 2, a total of 2,228,635 Western Visayans were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The regional health department said an extension of the national vaccination will depend on LGUs./PN