Candon City ranked first among local government units in the Ilocos Region with the highest number of first booster jabs administered, according to the Department of Health-Regional Office 1.

Based on the latest vaccination report of the Health department, a total of 16,941 eligible residents in Candon City in Ilocos Sur province got boosted from July 1 to Oct. 8, during the implementation of the intensified PinasLakas Program under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“The accomplishment of the city is due to the untiring efforts of our medical front liners,” said City Mayor Eric Singson on Wednesday as he lauded the cooperation of the people for this notable accomplishment.

Next to Candon City, other areas in the Top 5 places with the highest 1st booster jabs included Narvacan in Ilocos Sur, San Carlos City and Malasiqui in Pangasinan, and this city in Ilocos Norte.

While monitoring the vaccination turnout in various parts of the region, DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco encouraged everyone to get their booster shots to ensure their protection and safety against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Ang pagbabakuna lamang ang tanging paraan upang tayo ay hindi magkaroon ng malubhang sakit at malabanan ang pagkalat ng sakit na Covid (Vaccination is the only way for us to get protected and prevent the spread of Covid),” she said while stressing the country is still in a period of pandemic hence the need to adhere to minimum health protocols and not to be complacent.

Latest vaccination reports showed that 3,753,201 individuals or 86.91% of the target population in the Ilocos Region have received their two primary doses of the vaccine, while only 61,303 or 1.75% have taken their first booster dose.

With the intensified drive of the PinasLakas program in schools and in the Barangays, the DOH Region 1 hopes to vaccinate up to 2 million more in the coming days. (PNA)