Only 4% of Metro Manila residents fully vaccinated – Abalos

MANILA, Philippines — Only four percent of Metro Manila residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, an official said yesterday.

Around 1.625 million residents in the metropolis have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine while about 613,000 have been fully inoculated after getting their second dose, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos.

Out of an estimated 14 million population in Metro Manila, Abalos said at least 11.6 percent have received their first dose of COVID vaccine while 4.4 percent have been fully vaccinated.

Abalos said mayors are preparing for the large number of vaccine recipients under the A4 category.

“We aim to vaccinate around 120,000 people daily in Metro Manila,” Abalos told reporters during the vaccination of essential workers at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay yesterday.

Local governments have been working to inoculate the rest of health workers, seniors citizens and persons with comorbidities or those under the A1 to A3 categories.

With the start of the vaccination for the A4 category, express lanes may be set up for A1 to A3 groups.

SM Supermalls president Steven Tan vowed to support the government’s vaccination program.

He said 250,000 Filipinos have been given their first vaccine dose at 50 SM malls nationwide while 61,000 others have been fully inoculated.

A4 vaccination starts

Meanwhile, the city government of Mandaluyong began yesterday the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for essential workers.

During the ceremonial vaccination of people under A4, Mayor Menchie Abalos said the city was expected to vaccinate during the first day more than 100 workers composed of tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers and market vendors.

“This will have a huge impact on the city’s economy. We all know that those who report to work daily, such as jeepney drivers, market vendors and bank tellers have waited for so long for the A4 category to start,” Abalos told reporters.

As of Monday, around 20,000 residents under the A4 category have signed up for the vaccination program.

Abalos said economic frontliners and other essential workers would be inoculated with Sinovac as the local government awaits additional vaccines from the national government.

In Taguig, the city government said it is ready to inoculate those belonging to the A4 category.

City hall said qualified residents may register at trace.taguig.gov.ph. Employees of businesses based in Taguig but living outside the city should get in touch with their employers for their vaccine slots.

The Makati government also announced that essential workers in the city can avail themselves of COVID-19 vaccines.

Interested recipients can register at proudmakatizen.com.