DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 3 Dec) – The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force reported that as of Friday, the city now has a total of 967,053 fully vaccinated residents or 80.6% of the target population of 1.2 million to reach herd immunity.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, task force spokesperson, said during “Bida Bakunado” program over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Friday that the city reported 1,136,577 individuals jabbed with the first dose or 94.71% of the target.
The 1.2 million target comprises 70% of the city’s total population.
Schlosser said that 75,476 residents received the vaccines during the three-Day National Vaccination Days from November 29 to December 1. The city fell short of its target to attain 147,313 vaccinees for this period or 49,104 daily.
She said the city did not hit its daily target due to the behavior of the people despite the city’s efforts to prepare different strategies to encourage them to get inoculated, including house-to-house campaign, mobile vaccination, and evening vaccination or “Bakuna Nights.”
“We have a high vaccination rate. We are able to garner quite a number… compared to other LGUs (local government units). Also, we’ve had quite a good number of people vaccinated already in Davao City. We’ve reached a million. But it’s not enough to achieve our goal which is 100%,” Schlosser said.
But she added that efforts have been undertaken to combat misinformation, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) like the far-flung Marilog and Paquibato Districts. She said health workers are now penetrating these areas to spread word on vaccination.
At the pace that vaccination rate is going, Schlosser said she is optimistic the city will attain herd immunity before the year ends.
According to her, the city will participate in the second round of the three-day national vaccination slated for December 15 to 17.
Schlosser said the city has started administering booster shots to priority group A1 or health care workers and preparing the rollout of booster doses to A2 or senior citizens, A3 or persons with comorbidities, A4 or essential workers, and A5 or poor population.
“Rest assured, we are already in the planning process for A2 and A3, and the rest of the priority groups. Our LGU is waiting for booster vaccines from the national government and the logistics that we will need,” she added.
Schlosser said the city has enough vaccination hubs and manpower to sustain the inoculation drive. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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