The National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) on Saturday said it is looking for ways to ramp up the vaccination program as it raised the possibility of a lower turnout as the local campaign period begins on March 25.

“We are anticipating a possibility – a fewer output of our local government units because of the election and during the campaign period, therefore, we’re also looking at other means to vaccinate,” said Dr. Krezia Lorraine Rosario, NVOC co-lead, at the virtual Laging Handa public briefing.

Rosario said all regions and provinces nationwide have enough supply of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines for them to inoculate their target population.

There is an equitable vaccine distribution nationwide, she added.

Rosario reiterated the government and the health authorities have targeted to fully vaccinate at least 70 million Filipinos by the end of March and 90 million by June 30.

“We are in the last mile of our vaccination, it means we are nearing in accomplishing a certain population group like for example in our adult population we only have few remaining unvaccinated,” Rosario said.

However, she noted that these unvaccinated people are still having doubts, fears, and hesitations, “so it’s harder to encourage them avail of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Rosario said the government will study how to provide better services to the areas still lagging in their vaccination coverage.

The NVOC is planning to launch special vaccination days per area, particularly those that have low vaccination turnout and have large unvaccinated populations, she added.

The government will more likely focus its vaccination efforts in Cebu province, Soccsksargen (Region 12), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“We’ll also strive to reach our second dose requirement to fully vaccinate our constituents. We are also monitoring those vaccinated individuals that are yet to receive their second doses,” Rosario said. (PNA)