TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas recently launched the "PinasLakas" campaign for COVID-19 vaccination in the province of Bohol.
The launching program was held at the Island City Mall (ICM) in Brgy. Dao, Tagbilaran City on Sept. 9.
It was attended by the DOH 7 led by Regional Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas, Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, former Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, medical professionals, non-government organization (NGO) partners, and the faculty and students of Holy Name University (HNU).
The said DOH program caters to all age groups but gives priority to senior citizens, as the number of inoculated senior citizens is still quite low at only 62.08% fully vaccinated, according to data from the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Bohol.
In his message, Bernadas said the campaign aims to ramp up vaccination coverage among the A2 priority group (senior citizens) to 90% on primary series and the first booster shots to 50% within the first 100 days of the new administration of Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos, Jr.
Bernadas explained that getting vaccinated will give everyone the necessary antibodies that are crucial in combating the COVID-19 virus and its variants.
As the original dose wanes off over time, it is important to get the booster shots to remind the body about the virus it needs to defend against, and to improve or give the immune system a boost.
This campaign, with the help of health workers, also seeks to address any disinformation regarding vaccination to ensure better turnout, Bernadas added.
Aumentado is thankful for the initiative of the President through his directive to achieve 100% booster rate among all eligible Filipinos in line with his policy of no more lockdowns as not to hamper the country's path to economic recovery amid the pandemic.
The governor congratulated DOH7, saying that he is grateful for the continued support to ensure the safety of the Boholanos.
This is one of Aumentado's goals as governor: to ensure that Boholanos are vaccinated so they remain safe from COVID-19, and so that the province can welcome new investors and enable the economy to recover.
He also assured DOH-7 of the provincial government's continued support to their programs.
In a show of support to the inoculation drive, Aumentado together with former Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap and Chief of the Provincial Health Office, Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot, were the first to get their booster shot during the launching.
The DOH's "PinasLakas" campaign aims to administer 23 million shots by Oct. 8 within the first 100 days of the Marcos administration.
On Sept. 8, the DOH7, in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency and the Provincial Government of Bohol, hosted the "Pinaslakas" Campaign in Bohol with members of the Association of United Development Information Officers to help spread the benefits of vaccination to their constituents during their monthly meeting at the Juanito Cambangay Conference Room, New Bohol Provincial Capitol Building in Tagbilaran City. (ECB/PIA7 Bohol)
