COVID-19 immunization has started for tertiary students in Ilocos Norte as part of the massive vaccination campaign of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

This in preparation for the reopening of in-person tertiary classes, CHED-Regional Office 1 said as a ceremonial vaccination of students at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) was held on November 8, 2021, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), and Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC).

About 800 students are expected to be inoculated through the CHED immunization drive.

Prior to this, MMSU had already vaccinated 75% of its overall student population.

Whilw CHED and the provincial government inaugurated this inoculation program at the Northern Christian College in Laoag City.

Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc commended CHED for conducting the immunization program for college and university students in Ilocos Norte, saying, “Congratulations po. Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Babalik na po tayo sa colleges and universities.”

The provincial government aided in vaccine supplies and deployed medical personnel to administer the shots.

Governor Manotoc also urged college students to get vaccinated in order to ensure the safe reopening of schools, stressing that the inoculation is essential to regain “some sense of normalcy.” I hope we can all do our part in getting vaccinated. Let us get back to school, let us get back to learning, and let us carry on and learn to live with COVID-19,” he said.

According to CHED, limited face-to-face classes of 50% capacity are allowed in higher education institutions under the following conditions: high vaccination rate among students and faculty, approval from local government units, and retrofitted facilities.