DOH-7 Calls for collaboration with information agencies to strengthen effective vaccine communication that addresses hesitancies of Bol-anons as slow uptakes on the vaccination rate is still a recurring problem, especially among the 60 & above and 5-11 age groups. Dr. Van Phillip Baton, Medical Officer IV of DOH Central Visayas, encourages Local Government Units to be consistent in their message and create strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy.
Dr. Baton spoke on ways to improve vaccination communication during a General Assembly of the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO)-Bohol, Thursday, September 8, 2022, by understanding why people are hesitant to be vaccinated. He added that identifying the groundwork of vaccine hesitancy is vital to strengthen the vaccine communication plan. In his report, the most common reason for reluctance among citizens is the lack of information on the COVID-19 vaccine and where to get it.
He maintained that effective vaccine communication should focus on highlighting the risk of COVID-19, and how it can disrupt the health, livelihood, and education of the public. Dr. Baton added that LGUs should always maintain the availability and accessibility of vaccination as lack of access was also an identified problem in low turnouts. This can be addressed through LGUs creating chat support on their social media pages that provide Boholanos information about the COVID-19 vaccine and schedules on when and where they can get it.
According to current data as of September 7, 2022, from DOH-7, 60.14% of senior citizens are vaccinated, while ages 5-11 are at 38.2%. With President Ferdinand Marcos jr’s goal to strengthen vaccination through the “PinasLakas” campaign during his 100 days in office, DOH-7 aims to reach at least a 70% vaccination rate among the 5-11 age group and 85% for Senior Citizens. A house-to-house vaccination campaign was also brought up as an effective strategy that LGUs can do to uptake the vaccination rate in the province. (rvo/GC)
