Pasig City vaccinates over 35,000 residents; new jab sites delayed amid supply shortage

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Pasig City has so far given more than 35,000 residents their first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19, according to Mayor Vico Sotto on Tuesday.

However, the city chief executive lamented that the establishment of more vaccination sites has been delayed because of a shortage of jab supplies. He said no additional vaccination sites would be built unless the city receives more vaccine doses.

“We have hit the 35,000 mark for 1st dose vaccinations,” he revealed in a Twitter thread.

“Hindi muna tayo magbubukas ng panibagong [vaccination] site hangga’t wala pang dumarating na maraming supply,” he added.

(We will not open new vaccination sites unless more vaccine supplies have arrived.)

FILE PHOTO: Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. Image from his Twitter post

Currently, vaccine supplies of local government units across the country are at the behest of the national government, which has a monopoly in distribution given the prevailing pandemic and emergency use of COVID-19 jabs.

To date, the local government of Pasig has seven vaccination sites around the city.

In an earlier social media address, Sotto said Pasig City is capable of opening 10 more vaccination sites, but doing so at this point when vaccine supply is scarce “does not make sense.”

Sotto also reminded his constituents to show up on their appointed schedule, and not to come “too early.”

“Kung may appointment, pumunta po tayo, sayang ang slot,” he said. (If you have an appointment, let’s attend, don’t waste your slots.)

“’Wag masyadong maaga sa appointment para ‘di tayo sumikip,” he further said. “Kung 10–11am ang window na tinext sa inyo, kahit past 10am dumating, ok lang.”

(Don’t come too early for the appointment so we won’t crowd. If you were told your window hour is at 10-11 am, it’s okay if you come past 10 am.)

As of May 4, Pasig City has a total of 23,717 confirmed COVID-19 infections. This sum includes 837 active cases as well as 22,190 recovered patients and 690 fatalities.

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