By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental topped the list of vaccinated children in the ongoing “Chikiting Ligtas” vaccination campaign in Western Visayas (Region 6), according to the Department of Health-6 (DOH-6).

Based on DOH-6 data, as of Monday, May 8, Negros Occidental had already vaccinated 84,758 children.

The number is already 38.08 percent of the targeted 222,590 children in the province.

Negros Occidental was followed by Guimaras with 4,861 or 31.84 percent of the targeted 15,265 children, and Aklan with 15,264 or 29.81 percent of the targeted 51,205.

DOH-6 regional director, Dr. Adriano Suba-an said they were surprised by the initial results of the supplemental immunization, especially as Negros Occidental has a low COVID-19 vaccination turnout.

Suba-an has lauded the local mayors and health officials in the province for the outstanding vaccination turnout and he hopes that Negros Occidental will reach the 95 percent target population for vaccinating children against measles, rubella and polio./DGB, WDJ