As of yesterday afternoon, the CNMI is just 275 individuals away from 70% of its eligible population being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The next goal? 80%. <\/p>\n
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. has set that 80% target so that the CNMI can claim herd immunity and begin to loosen COVID-19 safety restrictions. After reaching that goal, it is projected that this will allow those in the CNMI who are unable to receive their vaccines\u2014 such as infants and those with compromised immune systems\u2014 to remain safe from the virus.<\/p>\n
Herd immunity is a type of protection against an infection\/ disease that is achieved when a large portion of a population has built an immunity to an infection\/ disease through past exposure or vaccination. <\/p>\n
CHCC chief executive officer Esther Mu\u00f1a said Tuesday that it is a community effort to reach 70%, and she is hopeful that the CNMI will reach the 80% target soon. That means 4,513 more people will need to be inoculated against the COVID-19 virus.<\/p>\n
\u201cReaching 70% represents the cooperation of our community in combating this virus. We are closer to our goal, and more work needs to be done, but the CNMI can do this,\u201d said Mu\u00f1a. <\/p>\n
Currently, the COVID-19 vaccination campaign Road to 80\u2014 which will run from July 12 to Aug. 28\u2014 has already begun awarding thousands of dollars to lucky raffle winners weekly. The campaign is made possible through a collective effort among CHCC, the Office of the Governor, the Marianas Visitors Authority, Joeten Enterprises, Inc., Bridge Capital, LLC, and TanHoldings.<\/p>\n
When asked if Road to 80\u2019s conclusion on Aug. 28 is CHCC\u2019s target date to achieve herd immunity, Mu\u00f1a said the sooner the CNMI achieves herd immunity, the better. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe would love to reach that goal sooner. The sooner we fully vaccinate 80% of the eligible population, the sooner most restrictions are removed. The more individuals we have vaccinated, the more protection we provide to our loved ones, our friends, and the whole community,\u201d said Mu\u00f1a. <\/p>\n
Those wishing to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations can schedule an appointment online at vaccinatecnmi.com or over the phone at 682-SHOT (7468). <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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