COVID-19 vaccinees doubled in some NCR areas —MMDA

The number of individuals vaccinated per day against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in some areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) has doubled, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Saturday.

According to Katrina Son’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” the MMDA earlier visited vaccination sites in Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, and Caloocan.

“‘Yung lahat ng pinuntahan natin halos nag-doble. Pare-pareho. So this only shows we’re ramping up on the vaccination. ‘Yung binigay sa aming challenge na [250,000] a day, kakayanin ng Metro Manila,” MMDA chair Benhur Abalos said.

(It almost doubled in the areas we visited. This only shows that we are ramping up on the vaccination. The challenge of 250,000 vaccinations per day is possible to achieve in Metro Manila.)

In Valenzuela, the local government seeks to extend vaccination hours.

“We’re way ahead of our 5,200 na binigay na quota. Until 10 p.m., pinakamatagal 11 p.m. mapapabilis pa namin ‘yung pagpapabakuna and maabutan namin ‘yung deadline na sana after 14 days naubos na namin ‘yung binigay sa amin,” Mayor Rex Gatchalian said.

(We’re way ahead of the 5,200 quota. Until 10 p.m., the longest is 11 p.m. We can speed up the vaccination and meet the deadline given to us.)

Once the vaccination is over, Gatchalian said they will also help in the vaccination drive in neighboring areas such as Bulacan.

Meanwhile, the local government of Malabon said it has not yet considered 24/7 vaccination hours as it is not yet needed.

“Gusto natin ‘yung first dose at least maka 80,000 tayo… If we vaccinate at least 70,000 during the 2-week period, nasa 180, 190 na tayo. 200,000 ‘yung proteksyon natin,” Mayor LenLen Oreta said.

(We want 80,000 people to receive the first dose… If we can vaccinate at least 70,000 during the 2-week period, we will be at 180, 190.)

In Navotas, 76% of the target population or 115,000 individuals have received at least one dose, while 60% or 85,000 have been fully vaccinated against the illness.

Despite this, the local government reminded the public to remain vigilant amid the threat of the more contagious Delta variant.

The number of vaccinees also doubled in Caloocan. The local government aims to inoculate 1.2 million people out of its 1.7 million population. Of this, 500,000 are children.

Earlier, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said the distribution of cash assistance to low-income individuals and families in areas under enhanced community quarantine could begin next week. -MDM, GMA News