SENIOR citizens and adolescents aged 12 to 17 years are the focus of the fourth phase of the “Bayanihan Bakunahan” national vaccination program against COVID-19, which starts today.
The fourth phase aims to vaccinate about 1.8 million individuals.
“The targets that were set for NVD4 (National Vaccination Days 4) are more contextualized in consideration of areas with low vaccination rates and coverage,” the Department of Health said.
Also to be prioritized in the three-day event are “individuals due for second doses, the remaining senior citizen population (A2), as well as adolescents.”
DOH records show that as of March 5, about 74 percent of the elderly are fully vaccinated, or some 6.5 million of around 8.7 million senior citizens.
As to the adolescent group, around 8.6 million of 11.5 (74.94 percent) are fully immunized.
Only 10.5 million booster shots have been administered to some 63.6 million individuals who have completed their primary dose series, or 16.5 percent.
For Bakunahan 4, the DOH has said it will bring vaccination services nearer to the people and communities, like pharmacies, primary care clinics, and occupational health clinics, as well as air, sea, and transportation terminals.
The DOH said several churches, parishes, and cathedrals are also serving as vaccination sites.
House-to-house vaccination will also be conducted in order to reach more senior citizens.
