66 SM malls to join 3-day vaccination drive vs. COVID-19

A total of 66 SM malls will be joining the government’s three-day national vaccination drive against COVID-19, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan announced Monday.

“It is my honor to say that SM Super Malls together with our friends from the private sector are proud partners of the Bayanihan Bakunahan and three-day massive vaccination drive in 66 of our malls,” Tan said during the launching of the drive at SM Masinag.

The Philippines earlier in the day rolled out its national COVID-19 vaccination drive, seeking to inoculate at least 9 million individuals by December 1.

According to Tan, more than 500 alumni, employees, and students of the National University volunteered for the vaccination days.

“Get vaccinated, volunteer, and encourage your loved ones to get jabs. It is only through our collected effort that we are able to put an end to this crisis,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzena attended the launching.

Bonifacio Day

The Chief Executive, meanwhile, said the participants in the three-day national vaccination event emulate Gat Andres Bonifacio's courage as they help in curbing the global health crisis.

"This multi-sectoral event is a resounding expression of our Bayanihan spirit, which coincides with the nation’s observance of Bonifacio Day on November 30. Indeed, the heroic example of Gat Andres Bonifacio’s courage resonates in each of us as we work together to fast-track and intensify our efforts to overcome this pandemic," said Duterte in a speech at the event.

Further, Duterte commended the Department of Health, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 for the inoculation campaign as well as collaboration with the private sector to speed up distribution and supply of COVID-19 jabs in the country.

As of November 26, the Philippines has 35,391,519 fully vaccinated residents, which is 45.88% of the country's vaccine eligible population. 

By the end of this year, Duterte said the national government seeks to fully inoculate 54 million Filipinos, 80% of minors aged 12 to 17 years old. He also said they seek to complete booster shots of fully-vaccinated seniors, health workers and people with comorbidities by the end of 2021. — BM, GMA News