Mass vaccination continues

ZAMBOANGA CITY continues its mass vaccination program in an effort to protect the public against the deadly Covid-19 respiratory disease.

Mayor Beng Climaco said the local government has opened more vaccination sites to make it easier for residents to access the medicines. She said vaccinators also go house-to-house to be able to inoculate more people, especially in far-flung areas, adding the City Health Office also launched mobile and drive-thru vaccination. 

“We continue the vaccination rollout for all unvaccinated, as well as those partially vaccinated, and at the same time pursuing booster shots for the priority groups,” she said.

Climaco, head of the local Covid-19 task force, said more people are now flocking to various vaccination sites across Zamboanga due to the massive government information campaign on Covid-19 and the efficacy of the vaccines against the disease.

She also renewed calls for residents in remote villages to go to the nearest health centers and get vaccinated to protect them from the virus, especially now that there are Covid-19 variants.

The City Health Office said as of March 31, a total of 655,880 people or 91% of the target eligible population, have received their first dose of vaccines while 641,941 residents received their second jabs and are considered fully vaccinated. 

Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista hailed Zamboanga City’s vaccination program following a meeting with Climaco last year.

Just last month, the Duterte administration has congratulated City Government for being Number 1 in the country in the implementation of the national vaccination program dubbed “Bayanihan Bakunahan” and the Safety Seal certification, including the digital vaccine certificate.

Zamboanga City was hailed 1st placer for the “2nd Doses Accomplishment” category, followed by Agusan del Sur and Taguig City while under the “A2 Doses” category, Ilocos Norte was the top-performing province followed by Ilocos Sur and Pampanga. Nueva Ecija was 1st placer for the “Total Doses Administered” category followed by Cavite and Bulacan.  

The winners for best performing local governments in support of the Bayanihan Bakunahan were determined by the Department of Health and categorized according to the percentage of accomplishments for 2nd doses, A2 doses, and total doses administered. 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said Duterte congratulated the winning local governments and the chief executives for their able leadership amid the health crisis, and for being invaluable partners of the national government in executing important programs that contributed to the improved Covid-19 status of the country.   

“Salute to all the recipients of this day’s awards for your robust commitment and partnership with the national government as we altogether implement these programs down to the grassroots. I know and acknowledge that without your support, we would have not surmounted the past two years of this pandemic. Kaya nais kong ipaabot sa inyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat,” Duterte said in a statement released by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. (Zamboanga Post)