BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has given the go-signal for second vaccine booster shots against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Such decision was finalized after a request was made for additional booster shots for those who have already gotten the first booster.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said they have no problem giving second booster shots; there is enough vaccine.
As for those who are reluctant to be vaccinated, Diaz said the provincial government will let them be.
However, the information campaign on COVID-19 vaccination will continue, he stressed.
Latest data from the Provincial Health Office showed 75 percent of Negros Occidental’s total population now fully vaccinated, with the vaccination rate for senior citizens at 68 percent.
Last week, the Department of Health launched a stronger nationwide booster vaccination campaign. Dubbed “PinasLakas”, it aims to increase the number of Filipinos who have been given a COVID-19 booster shot, to help maintain the country’s wall of immunity.
As of July 26, 2022, 15,975,337 Filipinos have been given the first booster shot, according to DOH.
Meanwhile, 1,232,816 individuals, mostly belonging to the vulnerable population (healthcare workers, senior citizens, and the immunocompromised), have received their second booster dose./PN