ILOILO City – This southern city is nearing herd immunity against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
As of Nov. 14, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed this city has fully vaccinated 323,949 people or 96.65 percent of the target population of 335,172, while 364,609 or 108.78 percent received their first dose.
The data, however, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas, included around 55,000 individuals from Iloilo province who availed themselves of the jabs in mega-vaccination sites in the metro.
Excluding those from the province, 268,949 city residents or 80.24 percent of the total target population completed their COVID-19 vaccination.
The city opened its vaccination to even people from the provinces in Panay Island.
Treñas was also authorized by the city council to share vaccines with other local government units.
Currently, the city is under a low alert level which Treñas attributes to the massive vaccination campaign.
Meanwhile, Dr. Daphynie Teorima, spokesperson of DOH-6, said herd immunity can be achieved if majority or at least 70 percent of the total population is vaccinated.
Who can declare herd immunity?
Teorima said as long as the target population is reached, it is automatic that herd immunity is achieved./PN
