LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) -- The provincial government of Benguet thru the Provincial Health Office launched the “Sa Booster Pinaslakas" campaign during the Monday flag raising ceremony on August 1 at the Benguet Provincial Capitol.
Governor Melchor Diclas, Vice Governor Ericson Felipe and Board Members Joel Tingbaoen, Ruben Paoad and JohanesAmuasen volunteered to get jabbed for their booster shot to kick of the “Pinaslakas” campaign in the province.
With Benguet still under Alert Level 2 status due to the low vaccination rate recorded among the population, Provincial Health Officer 1 Dr. MeliarazonDulay hopes that vaccination of the top officials will encourage more individuals to get their COVID-19 vaccines, be it the primary two doses or the booster shot.
Dulay explained that the stronger vaccination program is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration’s way of boosting the country's vaccine program in his first 100 days. In his first State of the Nation Address, the President mentioned strengthening and expanding the coverage of population with COVID-19 booster shots to help maintain the country's wall of immunity.
As of August 1, 2022, Benguet recorded 248,644 individuals or 73.72% fully vaccinated while 266,257 persons or 78.94% already had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
For the 5 to 11 years old already recorded 31,046 fully vaccinated persons or 85.32% while 32,839 individuals or 90.25% with at least one dose and only 286 or 0.79 had their booster shots.
For the 18 to 59 age group , 188,189 persons or 80.91% are fully vaccinated while 200,823 or 86.34% had at least one dose. There were also 47,306 persons or 20.34% with first booster dose and 2,257 persons or only 0.97% with the second booster shot.
At least 80,000 persons remain unvaccinated in the province and these are being encouraged to get their COVID-19 vaccines.
To attain the target population coverage, the PHO with the different partner agencies, the local government units and the private sector continue to conduct vaccination at the different vaccination sites in LGUs, district hospitals and the Benguet General Hospital.
Diclas continues to encourage the people of Benguet to get vaccinated and get their booster shots to ensure protection from the possible severe effects of the COVID-19 and to be able to move on to the new normal.(JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)