The province of Negros Occidental exceeded its target number of vaccinees during the first two days of the national COVID-19 vaccination drive dubbed as “Bayanihan Bakunahan,” according to the Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6).

“We can see the efforts of our LGUs (local government units) and volunteers where their daily accomplishments have doubled or tripled. In their committed daily targets, there are provinces that were able to meet their committed daily target. We have LGUs that are beyond their target,” said DOH-6 Center for Health Development Medical Officer III Bea Camille Natalaray yesterday.

Negros Occidental inoculated 68,911 on November 29 and 58,662 on November 30.

The province committed to vaccinate 50,000.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City, percentage-wise, booked the highest record in the region in terms of meeting its target in the three-day national vaccination drive to fast-track the nation’s bid for herd immunity.

DOH-6 records showed that Bacolod reached 72.45 percent of its target as of November 30.

On the first day of “Bayanihan Bakunahan,” Bacolod administered 29,047 anti-COVID-19 doses, surpassing the daily target of 22,057 set by the DOH for the local government to meet.

This was 131.69 percent compliance, or way beyond the goal of the national government for Bacolod. It inoculated 18,897 on the second day.

However, other LGUs in the region are failing to meet their goals as their vaccination rollouts are still plagued by vaccine hesitancy and brand preferences, Natalaray said in an interview.

The two days partial accomplishment of the three-day massive national vaccination drive showed 46.51 percent or 367, 980 of 791, 034 the eligible target population in Western Visayas were vaccinated.

She called on vaccine advocates to help explain to the public the benefits of being inoculated against the COVID-19 for more to show up even beyond the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” activities.

Natalaray is counting on the recipients of the pediatric vaccination or the 12 to 17 years old to assist in information dissemination.

She added since their age group is active in social media so hopefully they could help encourage more of the youth and adults to get themselves vaccinated.

The region’s pediatric vaccination posted a 45.81 percent accomplishment or 373, 580 of the 815, 561 targets who received at least one dose since their inoculation started in October. There are 21, 032 minors who are now fully vaccinated. (With a report from PNA)/WDJ