ILOILO – The municipality of Guimbal and nine other towns in this province are close to achieving herd immunity against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Data (as of Nov. 11) from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed Guimbal already inoculated 70 percent of its 25,302 target eligible population.
Here’s the breakdown of vaccinees per barangay: Bagumbayan (283), Libo-on Gonzales (208), Gerona-Gimeno (423), Rizal-Tuguisan (1,157), Gotera (92), Lubacan (393), Cabubugan (1,197), Buluangan (495) Nito-an Lupsag (431), Girado Magsaysay (315), Torreblanca-Bluementrit (285), Calampitao (528), Generosa-C. Colon (523), Binanua-an (387), Sta. Rosa- Laguna (1,147), Bacong (287), Anono-o (587), Nanga (1,145), Baras (804), and Sipitan-Badiang (493).
Herd immunity, also known as population immunity, is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection.
Bingawan town, on the other hand, vaccinated 60 percent of its 11,371 target population followed by Santa Barbara (57 percent of its 45,053 target population) and Zarraga (53 percent of its 19,152 target population).
Other towns recording high vaccine accomplishments are as follows:
* Mina – 52 percent of its 17, 616 target population
* Concepcion – 52 percent of its 32,290 target population
* Dueñas – 51 percent of its 25,617 target population
* Balasan – 49 percent of its 24,755 target population
* Badiangan – 48 percent of its 20,206 target population
* Batad – 48 percent of its 15,935 target population
* Pototan – 48 percent of its 56, 165 target population
If the said towns had high vaccination rates, there were towns with lower vaccination turnout such as Estancia (26 percent), Carles (30 percent), San Enrique (32 percent), Maasin (33 percent), Ajuy (33 percent), San Miguel (33 percent), Tigbauan (34 percent), San Rafael (34 percent), City of Passi (36 percent), and Calinog (36 percent).
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of PHO, lauded the local government units for intensifying their vaccination campaigns.
“It takes a lot of effort. I congratulate all health workers,” Quiñon said.
As to the towns with low vaccination coverage, Quiñon said the provincial government is ready to deploy vaccination teams to help them achieve herd immunity before the end of the year./PN
