THE local government of Arayat, Pampanga may hit its goal of achieving herd immunity ahead of the end of December 2021 target, as it is expecting to jab 25,000 individuals during the National Vaccination Days.

During the first day alone, Vaccination Czar and first lady Madeth Alejandrino said around 9,000 individuals were jabbed in seven different vaccination sites in town.

"Nag-open kami ng pitong vaccination sites para mas mapabilis, hindi siksikan ang tao at mas lalapit ang venue sa mga tao at we are very happy to say na nasa 9,000 agad ang nabakunahan namin sa first day pa lang," Alejandrino said.

Among those who got their first dose were eligible individuals aged 12 years old and above, while frontliners, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities were given booster shots.

As of Sunday, Alejandrino said the number of individuals who received the first dose of vaccine was around 63,000, while those fully immunized was 43,000.

"Kapag natapos ang 25,000, nasa herd immunity na ang Arayat. Ibig sabihin, mas protektado na kami at handa na kami sa new normal, lalo na at karamihan sa mga nagpapabakuna ngayon ay iyong mga estudyante na inaasahan natin na magkakaroon na ng face-to-face classes next year," she said.

Alejandrino expressed gratitude to Arayateños for their cooperation in the government’s vaccination program, especially during the three-day mass immunization program.

Due to this, Alejandrino said Arayat was among the towns in Pampanga that has the highest vaccination rate during the first day of the program.

"Itong partisipasyon ninyo ay hindi lang para sa sarili ninyong proteksyon, kundi proteksyon ng inyo pamilya at komunidad kaya maraming salamant sa sa kooperasyon ninyo," she said.