By Alec Go
Local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be vaccinating individuals who are not their residents as 80% of the region’s population have already received their initial dose.
Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairperson and Paraῆaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said in an Aug. 30 DZMM interview that the matter was discussed in the latest council meeting, citing observation that vaccination queues have become shorter.
“Ang accomplishment all over Metro Manila, ang first dose natin umabot na sa 80%… Tapos ‘yung fully vaccinated sa buong Metro Manila nasa 45%,” he said.
“Tinitingnan natin na iyon pong ating vaccine ay baka pwedeng i-share sa ating karatig na bayan,” he added.
The official said the average first dose vaccination coverage of all cities and municipalities of NCR is at around 80%. Individuals residing outside NCR have yet to be accommodated pending the establishment of a “system.”
He said vaccination will push through despite vaccinating the target population due to the threat posed by the Delta variant. He added that they will consider pediatric inoculation once it is approved.
Meanwhile, the extension of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the region until Sept. 7 was favored by NCR mayors, following the order of the national government to impose granular lockdowns.
“Kung saan lang may clustering, doon lang tayo magkakaroon ng hard lockdown para ang iba naman, hindi naman maapektuhan doon sa mga gagawin nating mga quarantine,” he said. – rir