The Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center-Task Force (EOC-TF) is optimistic that the city will achieve herd immunity before Christmas or before the year ends, as Department of Health (DOH) data showed that 84 percent of residents already received at least a single dose while 66 percent is already fully-vaccinated as of yesterday.

EOC-TF deputy for medical and data analysis Dr. Chris Sorongon said the local COVID-19 vaccination teams had administered initial jabs to 18 percent of the target population, and most of them are actually scheduled for their second dose within the month.

“That is why we are confident of achieving herd immunity,” he added.

The driving force behind the success of the recent National Vaccination Days from November 29 to December 1, Sorongon said, was the inspiring leadership of city officials led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.

Bacolod opened 42 vaccination centers in public and private schools, barangays, food chains, and malls and inoculated 70,752 individuals, way above the 66,171 three-day quota originally set by the DOH for the city.

It also fielded its five VAX-i mobile vaccination clinics to reach far-flung areas./WDJ