A total of 463,742 people in Eastern Visayas have been fully vaccinated as of September 16 as the region continues to receive more vaccine supplies from the national government.

The number forms part of the 974,470 first and second doses administered to health workers, senior citizens, those with comorbidities, and essential workers in six provinces and seven cities in the region, the Department of Health (DOH) 8 (Eastern Visayas) here reported on Friday.

A total of 510,728 doses, or 76.99 percent of the 663,373 first doses allocated to the region, have been administered.

The DOH-8 also reported that about 98.83 percent of the available doses have been distributed, equating to 1,299,131 out of the 1,314,560 doses received.

The region has 419 sites conducting Covid-19 vaccination.

“The government’s intensified vaccination drive is continually in action as the vaccine inoculation for the first three priority groups (health workers, elderly, and those with comorbidities) is still ongoing, both for their first and second doses,” the DOH-8 said in a statement sent to reporters.

“The public is reminded to coordinate with their LGUs (local government units) for vaccine registration and get vaccinated, following the government’s Prioritization Framework, to get maximum protection against the severe form of Covid-19.”

The direct deliveries of vaccines from the Tacloban airport to several local government units in the region is expected to step up the government’s Covid-19 vaccination rollout, protecting more individuals from catching severe infections and deaths from the coronavirus.

The health department reminds everyone, including those vaccinated, to continue to adhere to public health measures, such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks and face shields, hand and respiratory hygiene, and ensuring good ventilation by opening windows and doors where possible, as vaccines do not replace the important preventive measures that are being practiced.

As of September 16, Eastern Visayas has recorded 44,952 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 42,299 recoveries and 485 deaths.

The number of active cases is at 2,168 or 4.82 percent of the total. (PNA)