QC target: Immunize 150,000 in 3-day nat’l COVID-19 vaccination drive

  (INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta)

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City is eyeing to inoculate about 150,000 individuals against COVID-19 during the national government’s three-day national vaccination drive from November 29 to December 1.

“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 Joy Belmonte said in a statement.

The local government will use its current supply of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines which it procured in 2020. So far, it has received around 229,000 doses.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

“Good thing that we have procured this many vaccines for our QCitizens. While we wait for the supply provided for by the national government, we can use our own vaccines as booster shots,” Belmonte said.

The city government will prioritize unvaccinated minors aged 12 to 17 and adults, as well as the booster shots for healthcare workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals.

Special inoculation sites will be opened in the following malls:

-SM North Edsa Skydome

-Eastwood City

-Robinsons Magnolia

-Waltermart North Edsa

-SM Fairview

-SM Novaliches

-Fairview Terraces

-Fisher Mall

-Crossroad Parkway Mall

COVID-19 vaccination will also be held at the SMART – Araneta Coliseum and Elements at Centris.

Pediatric inoculations will be conducted in several branches of fast-food chain McDonald’s.

The Philippine Medical Association will immunize its health workers in its office auditorium.

The city’s police district and the Bureau of Fire Protection will deploy additional medical workers who will be assigned to different inoculation sites.

Administration of second doses shall proceed as scheduled in other vaccination sites, the city government said.

According to the city’s Task Force Vax to Normal Coordinator Dr. Malou Eleria, vaccinees may choose a preferred vaccine brand, if available.

Quezon City Task Force Vax to Normal Adviser Joseph Juico urged the public, even non-residents, to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The national government aims to administer nine million COVID-19 vaccine doses during the three-day immunization event.

 Another vaccination drive is set in December to reach the goal of immunizing 54 million Filipinos against COVID-19 by the end of the year.

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