Vaccination coverage against COVID-19 has been pegged at 33 percent of the population of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The 33-percent rate is said to be far below the 70 percent rate that the Duterte administration has been targetting.
National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) chairperson and Health Undersecretary Dr. Myrna Cabotaje noted that 1.1 million out of the 3.5 million BARMM population are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, GMA News reported.
“Their vaccination coverage significantly increased after Ramadan because of the special vaccination days. Before that, the vaccination coverage was only at 20 percent. We will be happy to reach 50 percent,” she said.
The BARMM, through its Ministry of Health, held a region-wide special COVID-19 vaccination drive in May, hoping to meet its 70 percent target before June.
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier reported that some of the challenges in the vaccination rollout in the region, including vaccine hesitancy or preference, limited manpower, fake news, late submission of daily vaccination reports, and lukewarm support from local chief executives and barangay local government units.
Cabotaje, in the GMA News report noted that 63 percent of the population are now fully vaccinated in Soccsksargen, while the Bicol Region and Mimaropa both still have not reached the 70 percent target population.
She said this might be due to the recent typhoons and the eruption of the Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon.
She said the government is still hoping to reach the 70 percent rate.
The DOH said 70 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated, while 14.8 million individuals have received their first
booster dose.
