Herd immunity in the CNMI can be claimed once 80-85% of the population that are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines have been fully vaccinated, according to Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther Mu\u00f1a.<\/p>\n
As of press time yesterday, 63.5% of the CNMI\u2019s population that are eligible to receive vaccinations are already fully vaccinated. Even when the number was still at just 63.2% last Sunday, Mu\u00f1a said this was already \u201csignificant,\u201d and was made possible through \u201cthe community\u2019s tremendous help to get where we are today.\u201d <\/p>\n
Herd immunity refers to a form of indirect disease\/infection protection that is achieved when a certain percentage of a population has become immune to an infection either through vaccination or past exposure to an infection\/disease, significantly reducing the chances of community spread and allowing those with no immunity to remain healthy without receiving a vaccine shot or being exposed to disease.<\/p>\n
CHCC\u2019s goal of 80-85% of the CNMI\u2019s eligible population being fully vaccinated will allow those who cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine\u2014such as infants or those with compromised immune systems\u2014to be protected from the virus.<\/p>\n
When asked about reaching the goal of 80-85% full vaccination, Mu\u00f1a said \u201cwe are confident that we will reach our goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked for her overall outlook as to how the CNMI has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic thus far, Mu\u00f1a said it has been several months now since Saipan\u2019s last case of community spread, and the CNMI\u2019s handling of the pandemic was largely made possible through the cooperation and support of the community, \u201cthe dedication and performance of our first responders, and the services of our partners.\u201d <\/p>\n
On the topic of reopening the CNMI to tourists, Mu\u00f1a said that \u201cslowly opening up is the best approach,\u201d and advised to remain cautious while the CNMI inches toward having 80-85% of eligible individuals fully vaccinated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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