By Joseph B.A. Marzan
The Iloilo City Government’s latest data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination showed that it may be able to inoculate 50 percent of the 525,000 target individuals in early October 2021.
The data showed that 252,288 individuals have been fully vaccinated as of Oct. 2, or 48.05 percent of the target persons.
323,735 individuals, or 61.66 percent of the target, received at least one shot.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said they were confident to reach 50 percent of their target population by end-September or early October.
The 525,000 target was based on the city’s projected Census population (425,000) and a surplus of workers from outside the city (100,000).
The city government’s COVID-19 focal person, Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, said the city government is seeking to push up its estimated time frame for herd immunity, considering other external factors, particularly the weather.
Fortuna said the 48.05 percent vaccination rate might encourage more people to be inoculated.
“We have not stopped vaccinations. Currently we are planning the next 7 days because it’s very rainy here, on what we can do at the vaccination sites, so it can continue without any interruption, and at least we can reach our herd immunity target earlier,” Fortuna said.
The city will hold open vaccinations on Oct. 6, 7, and 8 at its mass vaccination sites, on top of its walk-in vaccinations for city residents and workers.
VACCINATION FOR KIDS
Fortuna said the city government is eyeing to start vaccinating minors aged 12 to 17 years old by mid-October.
The city government has opened pre-registration for vaccinations at malls, public plazas, and barangay halls, where parents can bring their children’s credentials, including their birth certificates and valid IDs.
Treñas’ Executive Order No. 115 s. 2021 mandated that children up to 17 years old are still not allowed to go out of their homes even amid the General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
Fortuna said their most recent registration data indicated that around 25,000 minors in the city have registered for COVID vaccinations.
Vaccination of minors will be conducted separately from that of adults, in venues which are close to hospitals based on DOH requirement according to Fortuna.
“One of the requirements, currently, is that the vaccinations [of minors aged 12 to 17] should be done near the hospital. I don’t know why the DOH needs that, but probably because in preparation for adverse reactions for minors,” Fortuna said.
