March 29, 2024

The Department of Health-Cordillera is not giving up on its aggressive vaccination drive despite the presence of individuals with strong convictions against getting anti-Covid-19 shots.

Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit Head Karen Lonogan said DOH will continue with its aggressive vaccination drive and continue implementing strategies to convince those who remain adamant against vaccination.

Lonogan said the challenge remains on individuals who refuse the shots because of religious beliefs and those with strong convictions against the vaccination program.

“There are even some who still refuse vaccination even if their family members were infected or have passed due to the Covid-19. Some cannot even give any reason why they refuse to be vaccinated. They are just against it,” she said.

The challenge with the unvaccinated remains even as the government is now on its booster vaccination campaign through the Pinas Lakas campaign, which aims to increase the number of Filipinos who are given booster shots to help maintain the country’s Covid-19 immunity.

During the Bakunahang Bayan held from Sept. 26, the DOH-Cordillera has reached out to 11,897 individuals as of Sept. 29.

DOH-Cordillera Medical Officer III Camille Justine Malingit said under the Bakunahang Bayan, the vaccines were brought closer to the public with the vaccinators going to places of worship, schools, and places of work in the bid to reach more people.

Various partners were tapped for the Bakunahang Bayan, which aims to administer booster shots to 50 percent of the eligible population all over the country.

Based on the data of the Regional Vaccination Operations Center as of Sept. 21, the Cordillera’s coverage rate for booster shots is 28.52 percent with Baguio City being the only local government unit in the region that reached a 56.10 percent accomplishment.

In terms of the primary doses, Ifugao remains below the 70 percent coverage of fully vaccinating its eligible population.

The province has fully vaccinated 96,073 individuals or 65.52 percent of its 146,630 eligible population and boosted 23,575 or a coverage of 16.06 percent.

Benguet has fully vaccinated 251,674 or 72.67 percent of its 346,301 target population and administered booster shots to 59,047 individuals or a 17.05 percent coverage.

Mountain Province, which has fully vaccinated 97,117 or 88. 87 percent of its 109,276 target population, was able to reach 20,363 for booster or a 18.63 percent coverage rate.

Kalinga has fully vaccinated 151,916 or 99.08 percent of its 153,326 target and boosted 30,224 individuals representing a 19.71 percent coverage rate.

Apayao has reached a 100 percent coverage rate for being able to fully vaccinate 86,719 of its 86,720 eligible population. It has administered booster shots to 23,695 individuals or a coverage of 27.32 percent.

Abra has fully vaccinated 209,648 or 118.88 percent of its 176,360 target population. There are 59,717 who were given booster shots or a coverage rate of 33.86 percent. Baguio City has the highest coverage rate of fully vaccinated individuals with 339,916 or 126.82 percent of the city’s 268,022 target population. The city has administered 150,356 booster shots or a coverage rate of 56.10 percent. – Jane B. Cadalig with reports from Carlito C. Dar