Ilocos tops target during 4th nationwide COVID-19 jab drive
Darius Fernandez, 33, a fish porter receives a COVID-19 booster shot from DOH personnel from the DOH Center for Health Development 1 at his place of work in Magsaysay Fish Market in Dagupan City during the 4th National Vaccination Day on March 11. (Photo by Willie Lomibao)
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Health (DOH) in the Ilocos region said Thursday, March 17, that it had surpassed its target of administering 91,367 doses of COVID-19 vaccines during the fourth phase of the National Vaccination Days (NVD).
In a statement, the regional DOH said it had administered 128,317 COVID-19 doses equivalent to 140-percent vaccination coverage.
Of the four provinces in the region, Ilocos Sur has the highest coverage at 275 percent or 33,560 doses administered from a target of 12,184.
Ilocos Norte was second with 179 percent or 22,249 doses injected, La Union with 144 percent or 20,189 vaccines dispensed, and Pangasinan at 95 percent accomplishment or 47,576 doses.
Dagupan City in Pangasinan had an accomplishment of 160 percent or 4,563 individuals vaccinated out of the 2,847 target, the data showed.
DOH regional director Paula Paz Sydiongco said the vaccination teams across the region brought the vaccines closer to the people.
She said there were inoculation drives in markets, farms, churches, military sites, jeepney stations, and business establishments during the fourth NVD.
Sydiongco also thanked the health workers, who made sure that unvaccinated individuals, who live in remote areas, were also reached.
The fourth NVD was extended to March 18 after the regional vaccination center earlier fell short of its target.
Sydiongco urged those who have not yet received their booster shots to visit their nearest vaccination sites and get jabbed to be “fully protected” against the virus.
