Bacolod COVID-19 jab resumes today

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Dr. Chris Sorongon, Emergency Operations Center deputy for medical, data analysis and management, said the vaccination program of the Bacolod City government resumes today, April 18, 2022, at SM City-Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and Jollibee-Gatuslao from Monday to Sunday.

The COVID-19 vaccination program of Bacolod was suspended during the Holy Week, particularly on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday.

“We are also encouraging the public to get their third dose or booster shot against COVID-19,” Sorongon said.

“Health experts have seen that there is no new surge in the Philippines and the number of COVID-19 cases continue to decline because we did not do away with the wearing of face mask and have received early booster or third dose,” he added.

Initially, health experts have recommended 6-months interval before receiving a booster dose.

But Sorongon said Bacolod had administered booster shots as early as two months for Janssen and three months for other vaccines.

So, they are asking the public not to be complacent but should get added protection against COVID-19 because the vaccine has an “expiry.”

He also pointed out that at the end of six months, a person’s antibody levels lower, so they need to boost it again for their immune system to reboot or re-awaken in preparation for a new variant or strain

Sorongon further said that the World Health Organization is already recommending a second dose for booster shot but they are waiting for the Department of Health to issue the guidelines.

Bacolod City is still number one in Western Visayas in terms of its vaccination program having achieved about 133 percent of its 80 percent target population.

It is also number one in terms of vaccination for 5 to 11 years old and 12 to 17 years old, Sorongon said.