QC eyes 150K COVID-19 jabs in 3-day national vaccination drive

The Quezon City  government is targeting to vaccinate around 150,000 residents during the three-day national vaccination drive “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” from November 29 to December 1.

In a press statement sent to media on Sunday, the city government also said that it will use its current supply of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine that were procured in 2020, adding that 229,000 of the of 1.1 million doses of AstraZeneca have been received in batches by the local government unit. 

“Good thing we have procured this much vaccine doses for our QCitizens. While we wait for the supply from the national government, we can use our own vaccines as booster shots,” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte was quoted as saying in the statement. 

Moreover, the QC government said it will prioritize all unvaccinated adults, and minors in the 12-17 age group, as well as administer booster doses to healthcare workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals -- city residents or not. 

Dr. Malou Eleria, QC Task Force Vax to Normal Coordinator, said that vaccinees can choose the brand they want but the city will only provide those that are available in the vaccination sites.

“The best vaccine is still the one available. Since Quezon City’s COVID-19 situation is greatly improving, it is important to continuously decrease the infection through booster shots. Studies have proven that there is higher immunity against the virus once a person receives a booster shot,” Eleria was quoted as saying.

Vaccination sites will be set up in malls, including SM North Edsa Skydome, Eastwood City, Robinsons Magnolia, Waltermart North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Novaliches, Fairview Terraces, Fisher Mall, and Crossroad Parkway Mall.

Vaccination will also be done in SMART Araneta Coliseum and Elements at Centris, while minors can get inoculated in several branches of fast-food chain Mcdonald’s.

The QC Police District, QC Bureau of Fire Protection, Tzu Chi Foundation, Healthway, and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines also committed additional medical workers to be assigned to different sites.

“It’s all systems go for Quezon City. We have tapped groups for additional medical workers and partnered with malls and establishments to have more sites. We want to maximize the three days allocated for this vaccination drive,” Mayor Belmonte said.

Further, the QC government said it will be sending two teams composed of doctors, nurses, and allied medical workers to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija to assist them in their implementation of the 3-day vaccination program.

As of Saturday, the QC recorded 656 new active COVID-19 cases, bringing its total number of confirmed cases to 179,526. Out of which, 177,259 have recovered while 1,611 have died died. —LBG, GMA News