THE Provincial Health Office (PHO) urged city and municipal governments to bring the vaccination program of the government to far-flung areas in their jurisdictions in order to attain the province’s herd immunity as soon as possible.

PHO chief Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman told the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its Question Hour last Monday that most vaccination sites are concentrated in the población areas and efforts are being made to encourage the local governments to open vaccination sites in barangays for easier access by residents.

De Guzman said it is necessary for healthcare workers go the distance to administer the COVID-19 vaccines to serve the senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, among others who have difficulties commuting to the poblacion areas.

She also cited the importance of communicating information in the local dialect so communities can fully understand the purpose of the COVID-19 vaccines.

De Guzman cited brand biases of people as among the resistance met by health workers admitting that more prefer US-produced Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as she pointed out that those who had been inoculated with Sinovac and other COVID-19 vaccines received same level of immunity and protection from the severe effects of the virus.

As of October 17, some 857,439 Pangasinenses have been inoculated either with the first dose or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or 43.4 percent of the total eligible population of 1.98 million in the province.

She said 387,429 or 20% received full vaccination while 470,010 or 23.8% received only first dose of vaccine. Those who received first dose are expected to complete their vaccines before the end of October.

In addition, De Guzman said the province will conduct vaccination rollout with a daily target of 25,000 to 30,000 persons.

She reported that since 18 years old and above already among the priorities, vaccination will be done the whole week. (Jerick Pasiliao)

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