CEBU CITY -- At least 33,000 individuals were vaccinated in three “special vaccination days” that the Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH 7) conducted in 12 localities in the province of Cebu.

The DOH 7 targeted to inoculate at least 40,0000 individuals during the special vaccination days held from March 30 to April 1.

The DOH 7, however, was only able to vaccinate 33,308 individuals.

“But this is not bad,” Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist of DOH 7, said of the figures.

The special vaccinations were held in the towns of Balamban, Bantayan, Barili, Daanbantayan, Dalaguete, Pinamungajan, San Fernando, San Francisco, Tuburan and in the cities of Carcar, Danao and Toledo.

The DOH 7 considered those areas as “special areas for A2 targets.” The A2 targets refer to senior citizens.

The special vaccination days were conducted to address Central Visayas’ low Covid-19 immunization rate for senior citizens.

The 12 Cebu localities where the special vaccinations were held contributed to the region’s low vaccination rate for elderlies.

DOH 7 data showed that in those three days, only 1,559 senior citizens were vaccinated.

Loreche said the low vaccination rate for the elderlies is due to several “socio-cultural” factors.

These mindset, according to Loreche, include ‘I am old so why should I be vaccinated?’, ‘if I die, I die so why the vaccine?’, ‘I don’t attend gatherings nor go malling,’ ‘I live far from my neighbors so Covid can’t reach my place,’ among others.

Loreche added that the accessibility of vaccination sites is also one of the reasons why many senior citizens refuse to get vaccinated.

“These are the seniors in far flung areas and to go to a vaccination site far from their homes may mean spending for transport,” said Loreche.

Fear of side effects which is easily disseminated in social media and brand preference are also contributing to the low immunization rate for senior citizens, said Loreche.