Mayor Evelio Leonardia is urging Bacolodnons to take part in the November 29 to December 1 national vaccination drive dubbed as “Bayanihan Bakunahan” in a bid to fast-track the government’s goal to achieve herd immunity.

The mayor’s call was echoed by Dr. Chris Sorongon, deputy for medical and data analysis of the Emergency Operations Center-Task Force (EOC-TF), who also disclosed that last Tuesday, November 23, Bacolod’s vaccination teams registered a record-high of 13,403 individuals inoculated in a single day.

The EOC-TF and the COVID-19 Vaccination Council exceeded their original target of only 12,000 after administering first dose to 4,282 city folk and second dose to 6,494 others on top of 2,627 Bacolodnons who received booster jabs.

Sorongon said the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” will be a venue to extend its helping hand to curb the spread of COVID-19 by vaccinating 80 percent of the city’s population.

They also hope to reach far-flung areas, the business sector and more schools while maintaining a steady administration of anti-COVID jabs to 6,000 Bacolod vaccinees per day.

The EOC-TF, alongside the Department of Health Region 6, reported earlier this month that Bacolod had already reached above the 50 percent vaccination rate.

Leonardia is confident that the local government will reach its goal to inoculate 100 percent of the city’s target population before the year ends.

Around 40 to 50 vaccination centers, including schools, malls and other establishments will be opened to accommodate those who want to avail of the vaccine, Sorongon said.

Leonardia commended school-based organizations for supporting the city’s program to battle the pandemic.

He also asked for their help as Bacolod is now “shifting its target” to educate the community about the vaccine.

Meanwhile, while the city’s COVID-19 cases have gone down in the past three to four weeks, the mayor reminded residents anew not to be complacent despite the ease in restrictions.

“Let us not stop until we reach herd immunity,” he added./WDJ