COVID-19 vaccinations in Metro Manila increased during ECQ — DOH exec

MANILA, Philippines — Many more individuals in Metro Manila were able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the region, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the daily average of administered shots rose from 151,000 during the pre-ECQ period to 168,000 during the ECQ implementation.

READ: Over 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in NCR — MMDA

“We can see that tumaas yung nabigyan ng second dose during ECQ. Tumaas yung ating A2 priority group (senior citizens) at A3 (persons with comorbidities) during ECQ in many of the areas of NCR,” she said in an online media forum.

(We can see that the number of people given a second dose increased during ECQ. The number of people under A2 and A3 who were vaccinated increased during ECQ in many areas in NCR.)

The increase of vaccinations during the ECQ is due to the public’s growing acceptance of vaccines out of fear of the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant and the effort of local government units to fast-track the immunization.

“Nag-improve nang husto ‘yung ating acceptance [sa vaccine]. Natakot sila sa Delta variant so mas dumami ‘yung gustong magpabakuna,” she said.

(Vaccine acceptance among the public improved as they are afraid of the Delta variant’s threat, so many people wanted to get vaccinated.)

“Ngayon, napilitan ang ating mga LGU to streamline their processes, gawin mas mabilis, magdagdag tapos may mga tulong sa ating mga private sector,” she added.

(This prompted LGUs to streamline their vaccination processes, making it faster and accommodate more people. This was coupled by the help from the private sector.)

Cabotaje added that going to vaccination sites in Metro Manila was also made easier during the ECQ since people have nowhere else to go since the metropolis is under lockdown.

As of August 18, the Philippines have administered a total of 29.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, of which 16.2 million were first doses while 12.8 million were second doses.

Cabotaje said about 94.72% of health workers, 45.67% of senior citizens, and 68% of persons with comorbidities across the country have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

READ: NCR target: 250,000 COVID-19 vaccinations daily during ECQ

JE