9 regions miss vax drive target

MANILA, Philippines — Nine regions failed to meet their target during the fourth phase of the three-day National Vaccination Days against COVID-19 this month, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which posted a vaccination rate of 37 percent; Mimaropa, 43 percent, and Bicol, 52 percent, are the three regions with the lowest vaccination rates, DOH Undersecretary and National Vaccination Operations Center head Myrna Cabotaje said.

Cabotaje said BARMM had targeted 84,532 vaccinees but was able to cover only 31,437 while Mimaropa inoculated only 24,711 of its target 57,376 people.

Bicol had aimed to vaccinate 108,388 people but covered only 56,804.

The other regions that failed to meet their target are Central Visayas, with 63 percent; Soccsksargen, 68 percent; Western Visayas, 71 percent; Davao, 73 percent; Calabarzon, 90 percent, and Northern Mindanao, 95 percent.

Metro Manila recorded a vaccination rate of 126 percent or 236,546 recipients, higher than its target of 187,494 people.

Eastern Visayas covered more than double its 81,779 target and inoculated 168,074 people or 206 percent.

As of Monday, the DOH said 65.2 million Filipinos had been fully vaccinated while 11.6 million had received their booster shots.

Cabotaje said 1,815,500 or 97 percent of the 1,879,279 target vaccinees received their COVID jabs from March 10 to 18.

The national vaccination drive, which was originally set from March 10 to 12, was extended until March 18 to accommodate senior citizens. Up to 22,300 elderly have been vaccinated.