THE COMMISSION on Higher Education hopes to finish vaccination of at least 80 percent of college students by the end of November.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said the agency is aiming to ramp up its inoculation drive to allow more students finally attend physical classes.

“Our target is to vaccinate 70 to 80 percent by the end of next month,” he said.

Based on CHED’s data, 30 percent of students and 70 percent faculty members were already inoculated to prevent the spread of Covid19 among their ranks.

To increase the vaccination turnout in academic community, De Vera urged higher education institution to properly coordinate with their local government units.

“What we have noticed on the ground is that the schools that have good relationships with their LGUs have higher vaccination rates among students and their faculty,” he pointed out.

The CHED chief reiterated officials are aggressively pushing for the vaccination of all employees and students in HEIs to add another layer of protection during in-person classes.

Last week, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government aims to inoculate 90 percent of teachers, students, and school personnel by the end of next month.

Galvez noted the move is part of the government’s preparation to ensure safe learning during the gradual reopening of schools amid the pandemic.