Iloilo City’s high vaccination rate of 147.78 percent could be a factor for its low cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) but the City Health Office continues to campaign for the eligible population to submit to booster dose, which currently has 47.84 percent coverage.

Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, focal person for Covid-19 here, said that as of Sept. 18, the city has 208 active cases with its daily average cases dropping to 12 this month from 27 in August and 49 patients in July.

In virtual press conference on Tuesday, Fortuna said they were eyeing to increase the accomplishment rate, especially for the elderly, and booster dose for the 12-17 pediatric age group.

Fortuna added that 37,012 or 78.70 percent of the target 47,029 population for the 60 and above age group are fully vaccinated while 21, 809 have received their booster dose.

For the 12 to 17 age group, there were 50,823 are already fully vaccinated, exceeding the 36,835 target population.

However, the booster dose for the age group was availed by only 1,097 or roughly three percent, the focal person said.

“Our vaccines are available at our district health centers for those who have yet to get their booster,” Fortuna said.

Meanwhile, 15,664 of the 43,310 target from the 5 to 11 age group and 396,250 of the 215,697 target population for the 18-59 years old have been fully vaccinated.

Also, 138,857 of the 18-59 age group have availed of a booster dose.

Fortuna said it is important that they get their booster and be protected, especially since the economy has already opened up where more establishments are operational and classes have already started. (PNA)