Bulacan city readies 20 sites for COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The City of San Jose del Monte holds a simulation of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which targets roughly 700,000 residents or 70 percent of its population. Contributed photo

CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE –– At least 20 vaccine sites, including hospitals and public schools, were identified by officials in this city as they held a simulation for the jab rollout on Wednesday.

About 700,000 city residents were targeted for inoculation to achieve herd immunity. The number represents 70 percent of the city’s population of over one million.

Mayor Arthur Robes said 20 residents joined the simulation at the city’s covered court, which is also a designated vaccination site.

Robes, who heads the city’s Task Force on the Management of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, said they would adhere to any vaccine brands made available by the government and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

He said they had begun an education and information campaign drive on the importance of the vaccine.

Dr. Betzaida Banaag, city health officer, said the local vaccination program covers five stages–registration, pre-vaccination counseling, and final consent, screening, vaccination, and post-vaccination monitoring.

LZB