OVER half or 53.3 percent of the total population in Eastern Visayas are now vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH) in the region said Friday, January 28, 2022.
“With the active implementation of vaccination activities supported by local government units in the region, we highly encourage the public to get vaccinated,” the regional health department said.
“As we proceed to giving additional or booster doses, the DOH reiterates the importance of prioritizing vaccination among those who are yet to receive their primary series as our goal in achieving herd immunity remains in action,” it added.
DOH said Tacloban City has reached 68 percent, Ormoc City with 66.5 percent, Biliran with 65.3 percent, Southern Leyte with 57.5 percent, Eastern Samar with 55.6 percent, Leyte with 51.1 percent, Northern Samar with 47.6 percent, and Western Samar with 47.3 percent of its actual population being vaccinated with at least one dose.
Meanwhile, 62.1 percent of the total population in Biliran are now fully vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines, followed by Tacloban City with 60.9 percent, 57.8 percent in Ormoc City, 50 percent in Eastern Samar, 48.7 percent in Southern Leyte, 43.4 percent in Leyte, 39.7 percent in Western Samar, and 37.5 percent in Northern Samar.
A total of 45.5 percent of the region’s total population are now fully vaccinated, or received their complete doses of Covid-19 vaccines, according to the regional health department.
Meanwhile, the health department maintained that vaccines “are still our best defense against the virus, especially with the emergence of its variants.”
“It is proven to be safe and effective, and it is free,” it said.
Eastern Visayas is reportedly targeting the vaccination of 2.5 million residents to meet its 70 percent population targeted herd immunity. (SunStar Philippines)