The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) urges all eligible individuals to receive their COVID-19 booster doses as preventive measures against the virus need to be sustained.
COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses remain safe and effective in providing long-term protection against the disease and its complications, DOH 6 regional director Dr. Adriano Suba-an said.
In Western Visayas, vaccination coverage is high, with over 94% of the target population fully vaccinated. However, Suba-an said booster dose coverage remains low, particularly for the second booster, which is given to vulnerable groups such as healthcare workers, senior citizens, and those with co-morbidities.
It is essential to emphasize the importance of COVID-19 vaccination as other areas in the country have reported an increase in COVID-19 cases among the unvaccinated population, he stressed adding that while the region’s cases and healthcare utilization rate remain low, it is still necessary to sustain preventive and control measures against COVID-19.
Apart from vaccination, wearing face masks in crowded and enclosed spaces or gatherings is still encouraged to mitigate the transmission of not only COVID-19 but also other respiratory diseases, he advised.
It is also crucial to remind others to keep rooms well-ventilated, avoid crowded areas, frequently wash or sanitize their hands, and protect themselves by getting vaccinated, the regional director said.
