AIMING to boost the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) booster vaccination, the Department of Health (DOH) and Bacolod City Health Office launched the “PinasLakas” campaign at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) Thursday, August 18, 2022.
DOH-Western Visayas Regional Director Dr. Adriano Subu-an said their target is to inoculate at least 90 percent of the senior citizens and 50 percent of the general population to be boosted against Covid-19.
“It’s our only way to make sure that we establish our herd immunity so that we can go back to normalcy as well as we can confidently open our economy,” Sub-an said.
He said that Bacolodnos and Negrenses can now celebrate the MassKara Festival with confidence that Covid-19 cases will not increase afterward.
Sub-an said there is a need for Covid-19 vaccination to ensure that the population will be protected against the virus.
As of August 17, 2022, Bacolod City had a total of 28, 806 Covid-19 cases.
Of which, 27, 686 recovered, 221 remained active and 885 died.
Subu-an also lauded the accomplishment of Bacolod City in the vaccination campaign against Covid-19.
He said that in terms of the fully vaccinated rate, Bacolod City already recorded 159 percent, which also includes the residents coming from the neighboring cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental.
“It’s okay because the campaign in our vaccination is not exclusive for the local government unit (as) it is open to all, so, we are congratulating Bacolod City for their support in this campaign,” he said.
The launching was also attended by Bacolod Congressman Greg Gasataya, CHO, representatives from the city mayor’s office and the province of Negros Occidental as well as CHMSU.
Gasataya also expressed his gratitude to the DOH-Western Visayas officials for intensifying their campaign against Covid-19.
“With having this kind of program, let’s all work together to ensure that we will not go back in those two years since the Covid-19 has started,” Gasataya said.
“By helping each other, assisting different programs of the government to address this pandemic, I know we will have a better, clearer and brighter future ahead of us,” he added.
For her part, Bacolod Health officer Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, said they will hold the Covid-19 vaccination program in various schools following the launching.
“We are now intensifying our campaign to administer booster shots to 12 to 17 years old, senior citizens and the rest of the population including those who fail to avail of the first booster shot,” she said.
Gensoli added that it is also part of their preparation for the opening of classes next week for the public schools to ensure the safety of students.
The doctor said they will finalize their schedules for the vaccination drive in schools so they can inoculate the students including their parents.
“We have to be ready for the face-to-face classes that will start in November this year,” she said.
Capping the activity was the inoculation of more than 100 students of CHMSU including the school’s personnel.