Bontoc folks told: Get jabs to attain ‘herd immunity’

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Officials of this capital town urged unvaccinated local folks to get their jabs as the Covid-19 pandemic has still not ebbed. 
    Municipal health officer Dr. Diga Kay Gomez said Bontoc is still far from achieving “herd immunity” during recent municipal peace and order council meeting at Barangay Dalican.
    Data from the Municipal Health Office bared Bontoc has population of 25,516.
    Of the number, 70% or 17,861 individuals of the actual population must be vaccinated to achieve “herd immunity”.
    However, a total of 14, 452 individuals have been vaccinated as of Nov. 16.
    The said number received either complete doses or or first jabs.
    The four central barangays recorded the highest number of vaccinated individuals since the municipality catered to those from other municipalities of Mountain Province and neighboring provinces.
    Barangay Caluttit has vaccinated 2,203 individuals; Poblacion, 2,978; Bontoc Ili, 3,203 and Samoki with 2,090 individuals.
    For other barangays, 298 were inoculated in Barangay Alab Oriente, Alab Proper is 343, Balili is 182, Bayyo is 110, Caneo is 133, Dalican is 433, Gonogon is 288, Guina-ang is 552, Mainit is 237, Maligcong is 329, Talubin is 558 and Tocucan is 515.
Health officials said fear of adverse effect and widespread misinformation about Covid-19 and vaccines especially from social media platforms were reasons that caused reluctance to be vaccinated.
    The MHO said they did not receive reports of adverse effects from those who were vaccinated.
    Oficials said the Covid-19 vaccination of minors is a welcome development for parents, students, and teachers, as this could be a possible game-changer for high school-age students who have had to adapt to the "new normal education" such as online and modular classes.