BALANGA CITY, Bataan -The provincial government here on Saturday encouraged all unvaccinated residents to avail of free vaccination as it noted that it was still below the new target set by the Department of Health (DOH).

"Once again, we ask for the cooperation of everyone in our commitment to give protection to ourselves and our loved ones against the danger of Covid-19. Thank you very much and continue to take care of all of us," Gov. Albert Garcia said in his Facebook post.

He said under the latest DOH memorandum, the new target of Bataan for 2022 national vaccine deployment and vaccination program against Covid-19 will be to vaccinate 100 percent of the province population.

Based on the 2022 Philippine Statistics Authority estimate, the population of Bataan is 862,233, including those aged 11 years old and below.

"With these data based on the latest record of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), it appears that only 59 percent are considered fully vaccinated while 66 percent are partially vaccinated in the province," the governor said.

The PHO report showed that 568,933 (66 percent) have received the first dose while 507,863 (59 percent) are already fully vaccinated. Administered with the booster shot were 58,659 individuals.

The latest vaccination report indicated that for fully vaccinated, Abucay has 31 percent, Bagac (59 percent), Balanga City (64 percent), Dinalupihan (43 percent), Hermosa (48 percent), Limay (47 percent), Mariveles (58 percent), Morong (56 percent), Orani (35 percent), Orion (40 percent), Pilar (29 percent), and Samal (46 percent).

"We will continue to strengthen our vaccination program in all 30 inoculation sites in 11 towns and one city in the province and the vax on wheels," Garcia added.

Bataan logged 310 new cases on January 13 bringing the number of active cases to 1, 937.

The province has recorded a total of 31, 536 confirmed cases since the pandemic started, with 28,372 recoveries and deaths at 1,227. (PNA)