Central Visayas has low vax rate for seniors, says WHO

CEBU, Philippines — The World Health Organization’s representative in the Philippines is urging the government to bring vaccination against COVID-19 closer to seniors and those with comorbidities, especially in regions with low turnouts such as Central Visayas.

Central Visayas, along with Davao, Mimaropa, Soccsksargen and Western Visayas, is among regions with less than 40% of the elderly population vaccinated already.

“In all of these regions, the coverage reach is between 22 to less than 40% of the elderly population. We need to do more because we know that the Delta variant will spread anywhere. And when it comes, it will affect everybody… It will develop severe diseases to the elderlies and those with comorbidities,” said Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe.

Visayas Vaccination Operations Center spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche agreed with the information shared by the WHO representative.

As of August 29, there are 567,177 names of seniors on the masterlist in Central Visayas. But so far, only 203,421 of them or 35.9% are done with the second dose. Some 157,371 or 27.6% seniors are done with their first dose.

Central Visayas, though, has a higher figure for vaccinated individuals with comorbidities at 46.7%. In numbers, 295,962 have already received their second dose and 402,833 have received their first dose, or 67.7%. There are 631,992 individuals masterlisted under A3 category which covers persons with comorbidities.

According to Abeyangsinghe, vaccinating the seniors and those with comorbidities first means helping the health care system without resorting to the more stringent quarantine measures.

Abeyangsinghe is discouraging the ring strategy utilized by some doctors here, and emphasized that the universal prioritization list must be followed so that the most vulnerable ones can be protected. — JMD (FREEMAN)