BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – Stressing the importance of COVID – 19 vaccines and booster shots for the whole country to move forward to a safer and better new normal, the Department of Health (DOH) is now into the promotion of the “Sa Booster PinasLakas” campaign.
DOH – Cordillera led the regional launching at the Baguio City Public Market here last July 26 with Assistant Secretary Kenneth Ronquillo of the DOH Health Policy Systems Development Team as the guest of honor.
DOH – CAR Regional Director Rio Magpantay welcomed all the guests, partners, and the booster recipients in the activity, which is in response to the call of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to strengthen and expand the coverage of population with booster shots during his first State of the Nation Address.
Magpantay explained that this (booster shot) will be advantageous to all as it will sustain the strength of the vaccines that individuals already have. He said they decided to bring this campaign at the market as it is where many people converge, both vendors and the buying public.
He called on all stakeholders to support the booster shot campaign so that altogether, the region can move towards a better normal. And maybe to eventually live with the virus without using face mask.
Regional data shows that there are already 1,217,820 individuals in Cordillera who are fully vaccinated which is equivalent to 94.65 percent coverage of the target 1,286,637 (70% of the 2022 Cordillera population based on the Philippine Statistics Authority).
For booster shots, the region has 331,666 or 25.78 percent coverage of the fully vaccinated individuals.
The target is to bring the booster shot coverage to at least 50 percent and with the support of everyone, this can be realized in the soonest possible time, Magpantay added.
ASEC Ronquillo, in his keynote message, called on Cordillera stakeholders to help the government reach its goal of expediting economic recovery through safe and healthy business and tourism industry, as well as safe opening of the upcoming school year.
It is the President’s goal that through wider booster shot coverage, we will not worry much about living with the virus with a lesser restriction, he added.
On behalf of the city government, Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Celiaflor Brillantes assured its commitment for an intensified campaign for COVID – 19 booster shots. As Baguio City leads all provinces in Cordillera with 51% coverage, she committed to bring the booster coverage at 60% in the next few weeks. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
