BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The slowdown in vaccination activities of the provincial government of Negros Occidental was blamed to the devastation caused by Typhoon Odette.
But Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said they are still continuing their vaccination program, as they are trying their best to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 by February next year.
He reported that the province has vaccinated 1.18 million individuals, with 400,000 still awaiting their second dose.
To achieve herd immunity, at least 1.8 million Negrenses have to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Asked if they may able to achieve the herd immunity they are targeting by February next year, Lacson said they are close to that already.
Despite damages caused by the typhoon, especially on the power supply, Lacson said they have not received any reports of vaccine spoilage.
He also raised apprehension that the increase in COVID-19 positivity rate which went from 0.9 percent to 3 percent at the National Capital Region, may also happen in the provinces.
As of December 26, Negros Occidental has only 197 active cases, from its peak of 4,400 in October this year.
The good news, Lacson said, is that there is now a medicine for COVID-19, which is now on second trial. It needs four successful trials before it will be distributed to markets, he added.
While the World Health Organizations says the pandemic may end this year, Lacson said COVID-19 will remain for life, “but there will be medicine for it”*
