To boost Davao del Norte’s vaccination rate, Governor Edwin Jubahib led the distribution of PHP2,000 cash incentives to 500 senior citizens who got vaccinated for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on Monday.

With funding from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Jubahib implemented the vaccine incentive reward program to entice senior citizens to get vaccinated.

Since seniors are at highest risk due to Covid-19, Jubahib said vaccination prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.

“I am happy that you responded to our call for you to get immunized,” Jubahib said during the cash distribution.

Since last year’s launch of the vaccination drive, about 49,829 seniors in the province completed their second dose, while 13,039 got their first booster dose.

Jubahib also dispelled misinformation and argued against vaccine hesitancy among his constituents, as he called on his people to get vaccinated.

“Do not believe in fake news, the truth is, unvaccinated individuals are those who are at high risk to get sick. There is a great possibility that you cannot survive since unvaccinated people are more likely to die of Covid-19,” he said.

Meanwhile Neidel Feah Ferido, Provincial Coordinator of the National Immunization Program, said the governor’s announcement of the cash incentive last August caused vaccine rates among the elderly to rise by 1.3 percent for their second dose and 31.8 percent to those receiving their first booster dose.

From August 1 to September 30, some 561 seniors received their second dose while 4,144 seniors had their first booster shot in the province. (PNA)