PNA file photo
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Department of Health Center for Health Development in the Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD-1) has recorded 969,685 individuals who have received booster shots as of August 7.
Based on the data obtained by the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday, there were 34,904 individuals added to the number of residents inoculated with booster shots from July 31 to August 6 following the launch of the DOH “PinasLakas” booster vaccination campaign.
The program complements President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive on mass vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) for his 100 days in office.
PinasLakas is targeting to inoculate booster shots against coronavirus to some 1.7 million residents until October 8 this year.
DOH-CHD-1 director Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco earlier said it would also target 90 percent vaccination of senior citizens to complete the first and second doses, and provide booster shots to 50 percent of the 12 years old and above population.
To attain this goal, DOH-CHD-1 improved the accessibility of vaccination centers by bringing it to the terminals, plazas, worship areas, workplaces, and even schools to reach the target population.
It will also provide incentives or recognition to local government units that will reach or surpass their targets while ensuring enough supply of vaccines in the region.
There are now 3.7 million individuals in the region who were fully vaccinated as of August 7.
The number covers 87 percent of the region’s target population, 84 percent of the A2 population or the senior citizens, and 43 percent of the five to 11-year-old population.
The DOH-CHD-1 is urging residents to get their booster shots to ensure protection against Covid-19 as the cases are increasing.
As of August 7, the daily average cases in the region are now at 13, which is 42.4 percent higher than in the last week of July.
The non-intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilization rate in the region is now at 24 percent and the ICU bed utilization rate is at 34 percent.
Of the total 924 new cases, 16 are confirmed severe and critical. (PNA)
