Quezon City vaccinates more than 100,000 residents

MANILA, Philippines — The most populous city in the capital region already gave out the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 100,000 of its residents.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, chair of the Task Force on Vax To Normal, said healthcare workers and other members of priority sectors are among the 106,395 individuals took either Sinovac's CoronaVac and AstraZeneca-Oxford jab.

"While this is still a minute percentage compared to our population, this is already an achievement in our year-long battle against COVID-19," Belmonte said.

The city had a population of 2.936 million upon the last census in 2015. It is expected that the number of people in Belmonte's constituency has since swelled.

Healthcare workers from Levels 1 and 2 hospitals make up 17,257 (16.22%) of the vaccinated population, while 26,233 (24.65%) are from Level 3 hospitals.

Those who received the vaccine in the 14 designated sites around the city comprise 59.12% (62,905) of the total. The remaining 3,400 (3.19%) are members of the Quezon City Police and jail bureau and those who took the jab through a partnership with the private sector at the SM City North EDSA Skydome.

Nationwide, meanwhile, more than 160,000 Filipinos are completely vaccinated after receiving the second dose of the vaccine.

Plans for expansion

Quezon City is looking to tap companies, civil organizations and even transport and homeowners groups to help in mounting more vaccination sites across the city as more vaccine doses are delivered to the country.

QC Task Force Vax to Normal Co-chair Joseph Juico said the private sector will be providing the venue and medical personnel for the inoculation program which will be located in their establishments or selected areas.

“Our agreement with the private groups is that they will be providing the venue and the medical team while the city will be delivering the vaccines to them and monitor or supervise the whole process,” Juico said.

As soon as the vaccines procured by the city or donated by the national government arrive,  city officials hope the partnerships with different groups will multiply the effort to achieve herd immunity sooner.

Hospital capacity is also being expanded with additional beds added to city-run hospitals Quezon City General Hospital, Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital, and the Novaliches Government Hospital to accommodate moderate to severe cases.

In quarantine facilities outside hospitals, 1,000 more beds will be delivered for use of patients with mild and asymptomatic cases.