Taguig hits 200% daily COVID-19 vaccination target; QC starts quick substitution list

The Taguig City government on Sunday said it has achieved a record-high number of COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday. 

A total of 16,625 COVID-19 jabs were administered in Taguig City on Saturday, July 31, which represents 200% of the 8,000 vaccinations daily target of the National Vaccination Operations Center, the local government unit said.

The LGU said this was made possible through the efforts of the healthcare workers and the vaccination teams, and the trust of the city residents.

Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano then appealed to those who have yet to get their vaccines to get inoculated, especially during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila from August 6 to 20.

Cayetano said more vaccines would be made available as part of efforts to address the threat of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

"Para ho may panangga tayo, para ho may panglaban tayo, kailangan ho tayo ay bakunado," he said.

(Let us get vaccinated so we will have protection [against the coronavirus].)

The mayor also gave the assurance that financial assistance or "ayuda" will be given to qualified individuals during ECQ.

Quezon City

The Quezon City government meanwhile said it has started a quick substitution list (QSL) to better manage the vaccination system.

Residents without prior appointments may register for the QSL at vaccination sites.

A member of the vaccination staff will then call them back to the vaccination site as soon as it becomes clear that scheduled vaccinees will not be able to take their vaccines for the day for some reason — they are "no shows" or have medical or other valid reason.

“Having a QSL allows us to immediately utilize all vaccines allotted for the day and in turn, hasten our vaccination drive even if some of the scheduled individuals don’t show up,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said. 

The local government said about 10 to 50 individuals or 10% of scheduled vaccinees per day miss their vaccination schedules.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. on Saturday said Metro Manila mayors have agreed to continue with the 250,000 vaccinations a day during the ECQ period from August 6 to 20.

Citing projections from the health experts, Abalos said the COVID-19 cases in the region may reach over 28,000 by August 15, over 85,000 by August 31, over 234,000 by September 15, and over 510,000 by September 30 with the entry of the more transmissible Delta coronavirus variant.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Saturday said even with heightened restrictions and the reimposition of hard lockdown, the number of active COVID-19 cases in the NCR might increase to over 30,000.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Olay on Sunday said those who are scheduled to have their COVID-19 vaccination will be treated as authorized persons outside residence. They just need to present their vaccination card or notice regarding their inoculation schedule. —KG, GMA News