San Juan City became the first local government unit (LGU) in the country to vaccinate 100% of its target population with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The city government of San Juan started its vaccination campaign as early as January this year, when it began the online registration process for eligible citizens under priority groups A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said in a public briefing on Monday (July 12).
“[Noong] January 4, kami po ay naglunsad ng aming online registration. At bagama’t noong panahong iyon ay wala pa tayong hawak na bakuna, ito ay ginawa naming paghahanda sa eventual na pagdating nga nito,” he said.
Zamora attributed the city’s success to an efficient vaccination system which the LGU replicated at all its vaccination sites.
He said they started vaccinating on March 6 with only 600 to 800 vaccinees per day, and when the bulk of vaccine doses arrived, San Juan City was able to administer at least 3,000 doses per day.
“Mayroon po kaming dalawang venues. Iyong una po ay ang Filoil Flying V Center, iyan po iyong tinatawag na San Juan Arena, which started with just 600 to 800 vaccinees a day noong kaunti pa lang ang supply. Ngunit noong bumuhos na ho iyong supply noong buwan ng Abril, Mayo, Hunyo, hanggang ngayon, Filoil is now doing 3,000 vaccinees a day,” Zamora said.
He added that two cinemas also offered free use of their venues as vaccination sites for individuals who are non-residents of San Juan, but are working in the city.
“Karamihan sa mga A4 natin ay nandito sa Greenhills Shopping Center. So the merchants that we are seeing now here in the Greenhills Mall, iyong mga tiyanggero natin, hindi naman po sila lahat taga-San Juan. They may be from other cities and other provinces, a lot of them are our Muslim brothers and sisters, but they work here. So bina-vaccinate din po namin sila,” he said.
Zamora estimates San Juan City will achieve population protection by August as they are about to fully vaccinate 70% of the city’s target population this month. – Report from Patrick De Jesus / CF – jlo
