Red Cross ‘Bakuna Bus’ program reaches Calabarzon

Humanitarian organization Philippine Red Cross has deployed three buses to extend COVID-19 vaccination services in the Calabarzon region.

In a press statement on Thursday, PRC Health Services Manager Mark Abrigo said these three buses from its "Bakuna Bus" program were provided by Victory Liner, with one each deployed in Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas. The vaccination buses can inoculate 300 to 500 people daily.

Each bus also includes a physician for screening and monitoring, one to two vaccinators, volunteers to supervise registration and crowd control, and ambulance team members.

In Batangas, PRC Batangas Chapter Administrator Ronald Generoso said they were able to vaccinate 60 individuals from priority groups A1, A2, and A3 using Pfizer and Sinovac jabs.

Red Cross also encouraged those eligible individuals to register for their vaccination by  calling 1158.

Red Cross Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said their organization will continue to help the government in vaccinating more people to eventually reach herd immunity amid the surge of coronavirus disease infections.

As of Aug. 18, Red Cross vaccinated 7,171 people using its Bakuna Buses, which were already deployed in Marikina, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City in Cebu.

The program started in June as the organization eyed to vaccinate the poor communities. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News