OVP Vaccine Express back in QC for 2nd dose vax of PUV drivers, riders

FILE PHOTO: Tricycle and jeepney drivers make a quick stop at the Vaccine Express, a drive-thru vaccination initiative by the Office of the Vice President and the Quezon City local government at Robinsons Mall Novaliches parking lot on August 12, 2021. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) Vaccine Express returned to Quezon City on Monday for the administration of COVID-19 vaccine second doses to individuals in the public transportation sector.

According to OVP, the second dose vaccination drive for delivery riders and tricycle and jeepney drivers was held at the Robinson’s Novaliches parking area, the same venue when their first doses were given.

The Vaccine Express second-dose vaccination drive would run from September 13-14.

“The Office of Vice President Leni Robredo and the Quezon City Government continue their Vaccine Express collaboration, to give the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine to delivery riders and jeepney and tricycle drivers,” OVP said in a statement.

“The two-day rollout at the Robinsons Novaliches Open Parking on September 13 to 14, 2021, is for drivers and riders who availed of their first dose last August 12 and 13,” it added.

According to OVP, the project would not be possible if not for the help of the local government, private sector partners and volunteer doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, medical students, and even military personnel who assisted during the vaccination drive.

The Vaccine Express is an OVP initiative done in partnership with various local government units. Under the program, Robredo’s team would provide the concept of drive-thru vaccinations and then partner with a city or municipality in distributing the vaccines to frontline workers and those in the transport industry.

The first Vaccine Express was carried out in collaboration with the City of Manila, where 4,599 public transport drivers and riders were given their first doses against COVID-19 and 2,979 received their second doses. Vaccine Express was also conducted in Naga, Iriga, and Pasig City.

The government is looking to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 by vaccinating at least 70 percent of the country’s qualified populations.

On Monday, September 13, the Department of Health said it recorded 20,745 new coronavirus infections, pushing the number of people currently sick of the disease to 180,293.

KGA