"I AM calling on all our local government units (LGUs) to intensify our local vaccination efforts.”

The appeal came from Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday, September 29, as he urged everyone to find ways and think of innovative plans not just to reach the desired numbers.

“(Let’s) achieve our desired end, that is to win this fight against coronavirus disease (Covid-19),” he said during the "PinasLakas” booster campaign in Murcia town.

Currently, the province is lagging behind the national target, the governor admitted, saying that the provincial government should step up and strengthen its vaccination efforts to address the concern.

"PinasLakas" is a result of the easement of our community restrictions brought about by the number of vaccination.

Lacson said that this campaign meant to increase the number of Filipinos who have been given the Covid -19 booster.

It should be taken seriously and earnestly just like the first vaccination drive because without the booster shot “we stand to lose the gains of the first vaccination and we won't be able to maintain the population's immunity.”

Records of the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas showed that as of September 26, fully vaccinated adults in Negros Occidental were 139,184 or 60.7 percent of the projected population for year 2022, at 296,602.

Those who availed booster shots were 24,722 or 10.7 percent, it added.

Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, undersecretary for health policy and infrastructure development plan, meanwhile, said the “PinasLakas" booster campaign is meant to boost and wrap up the vaccination efforts in the country.

"We are hoping to reach our target of 90 percent for senior citizens and 50 percent of the general population. We are only 24 percent overall. That's why we need to work harder with our partners. People need to be vaccinated," Ronquillo said.

"We are going house to house to reach especially the senior citizens," he added.

Ronquillo also lauded the effort of the provincial government for giving little amount of incentives for the Barangay Health Workers (BHW) who could convince people to get vaccinated, as well as incentives for senior citizens who will be vaccinated.

He also assured enough supplies of Covid-19 vaccines.

"We have high hopes to hit our target with the cooperation of all agencies concerned and the public as well," he added.*