The National Capital Region (NCR) will continue its vaccination program rollout despite the implementation of two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) beginning on August 6.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said inoculation will still be conducted in designated vaccination sites due to house-to-house vaccination challenges.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in the August 2 Laging Handa briefing that COVID-19 vaccine recipients will be considered authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) in Metro Manila during the lockdown.
“Kailangan po magpakita ng schedule ang ating mga kababayan, o ‘di kaya ‘yung text message galing sa kanilang LGU, o kaya naman papel na sila ay for vaccination at mayroong confirmed schedule sa araw na ‘yan,” Malaya said.
The official expressed confidence in the region’s capability to reach its 250,000 daily administered jabs despite movement restrictions.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos said they have already pinpointed private facilities that can support the rollout, including malls.
“Maraming innovations ngayon. But what is really important – I think the most critical here is habang nagbabakuna ka, ‘yung surge. If there will be a surge in the hospitals, our inoculators, uunahin nila ‘yung nasa hospital,” he said.
Coverage
The Metro Manila Council (MMC) earlier requested for an additional four million COVID-19 vaccine doses to be administered during the ECQ period. Malacaῆang said the doses remain subject to supply.
“‘Nung huli kong tinanong si [vaccine czar] Secretary Galvez, ang siguradong-sigurado is hanggang 2.5 million [doses para sa NCR], pero subject to supply. Titingnan kung kayang maabot ‘yung four million,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his Monday briefing.
The Department of Health (DOH) said it sees nothing wrong with extending the vaccination to non-priority individuals, but appealed to prioritize those under A1 to A3 groups who are vulnerable to the disease.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno called for volunteer health workers or students to join the vaccination program as the city is set to launch its 24/7 vaccination.
Moreno said they need around 200 volunteers who will serve as vaccinators or encoders. They will not be paid, but will be provided food. – Report from Patrick de Jesus/AG-rir
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