By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga campaign

Super typhoon “Odette” has not only devastated Negros Occidental but it also affected the province’s vaccination program against COVID-19.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said the vaccination drive had slowed down with the province only inoculating about 55 percent of the target population.

Tumimbang said they should have nearly reached 70 percent by the end of this month.

Despite the setback, he said the vaccination drive continues even in areas that were hit hard by the typhoon.

No less than Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque said that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the COVID-19 vaccination to resume in areas affected by the typhoon.

Tumimbang also pointed out that the COVID-19 vaccination in the province’s affected areas has even become more important as social distancing had been sacrificed when the typhoon hit last week.

Tumimbang said the one shot Johnson and Johnson vaccines are now available in all localities throughout the province./WDJ