Quezon City to open more vaccination facilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government said yesterday it would open more vaccination sites to ramp up its inoculation program to cover unvaccinated residents and those who need boosters amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said there would be a total of 36 regular inoculation centers, 21 pop-up sites, 16 facilities in malls as well as drive-through and home service vaccination sites.

“We will be looking for those who are still unvaccinated and encourage them to get their COVID-19 jabs immediately so they can acquire protection against the virus, which has been soaring since last month,” Belmonte said.

“This is on top of our duty to assist COVID-positive persons by treating them in our Hope facilities or through our home care program, and to trace close-contact individuals,” she added.

Quezon City’s mega vaccination site at the Smart Araneta Coliseum will also reopen on Jan. 15.

Belmonte said since face-to-face classes have been suspended by the government, school grounds would be used as vaccination sites.

“Last year, we achieved our target of 1.7 million vaccinated adult individuals in record time. The same strategies will be implemented this time, including maximizing partnerships with the private sector such as malls and business establishments, churches, civic associations and other stakeholders,” QC Task Force Vax to Normal coordinator Maria Lourdes Eleria said.

Some government agencies with offices in Quezon City are coordinating with the local government for their vaccination rollouts, according to Belmonte.

Those who want to get vaccinated may register through the QC VaxEasy portal.