THE Department of Health (DOH) said Friday, May 27, that the rate of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccination is now increasing following the conclusion of the May 2022 polls.
In a televised public briefing, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said they have observed an increase in the number of people getting vaccinated and boosted in recent weeks.
"There was a slight increase in our numbers since people are no longer busy with the elections," said Cabotaje, who also heads the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC).
"We are now at 200,000 jabs per day compared to less than 100,000 before the elections," she added.
Cabotaje also said they have observed a rise in the number of vaccinees in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), which has the lowest vaccination output among 17 regions in the country.
"There is also a slight increase in numbers in the Barmm. They were even able to reach 500 in one day in one area. That is more than their average jabs per day," she said.
The health official attributed the improvement in the area to the support of the clan patriarchs.
"In the Barmm, we need to convince the patriarchs of the clans. That way, they can encourage the entire clan to get vaccinated," said Cabotaje.
And given the improvement in numbers, the NVOC chief expressed hopes that they can still reach the target set by the Duterte administration.
She noted how the current number of fully vaccinated Filipinos is at 69.1 million or 76.87 percent of the population.
"We are at 69 million. With great effort, we hope we can achieve this 77 million target," she said.
"We will be relentless in our information campaign (on vaccination)," said Cabotaje. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)