MORE than 59,000 individuals in Negros Oriental received their first dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine as of July 23.

Dr. Liland Estacion, incident commander of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force or Emerging Infectious Diseases (PIATF-EID), said a total of 59,707 individuals have been inoculated with the first dose, while 28,002 have received the second dose.

Estacion urged qualified individuals to register in their respective local government units (LGUs) to be part of the 879,635 target population in the province.

“It is important to be vaccinated to achieve the 70 percent herd immunity against the virus and so that we can go back to new normal,” said Estacion.

Negros Oriental currently has a population of 1,432,990, according to the official updated census as of May 1, 2020.

Herd immunity will only be achieved once 70 percent of the province’s population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Fully vaccinated individuals, especially the senior citizens, should still strictly adhere to the health protocols.

Estacion advised those who have already completed their vaccination not to be complacent but to be conscious in wearing a face mask and face shield, practicing physical distancing and avoiding crowded places, among others.

The health official said fully vaccinated individuals could still develop a mild case if exposed to the virus that causes Covid-19.

With the threat of Delta variant, Estacion reminded the public "that we can still get sick and you can still infect others if we are exposed to the virus."

Estacion encouraged other senior citizens and individuals aged 18 years old and above to register with their respective LGUs to be vaccinated against Covid-19. (PIA)