To reach out to as many people as possible, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Wednesday, June 30, said that it will continue to ramp up its vaccination efforts through the introduction of mobile vaccination.
“We need to reach the unreached urban poor areas,” PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon said.
In line with its efforts to curb coronavirus disease (COVID-19), PRC is reaching out to the A5 group consisting of the population below the poverty line based on the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.
PRC said that the mobile vaccination is made possible in partnership with UBE Express of the Bert Lina Group of Companies. The latter provided a bus with a customized interior tailored to the needs of vaccinations as well as other mobile health services.
These buses, PRC said, were previously used in the vaccination of more than one million children against polio and measles-rubella. The buses are also equipped with a cold chain system, mobile refrigerator, and vaccine cabinet.
PRC pioneers mobile vaccination clinics in the country. Gordon said that with the partnership of Bert Lina Group of Companies, PRC can reach more communities and provide vaccines even in far-flung areas.
Citing Pulse Asia Survey, PRC noted that “six out of 10 Filipinos do not want to get vaccinated.”
Despite this, PRC expressed optimism that the mobile vaccination will “increase vaccine availability” as the humanitarian organization brings the mobile vaccination right to Filipino houses.
“Nagawa natin ito noong pagbabakuna kontra polio at measles. Magagawa din natin kontra COVID-19 (We did this when we vaccinated against polio and measles. We can do this again versus COVID-19),” Gordon said.
Last week, the PRC “Bakuna Bus” was showcased in Marikina with the support of the local government unit to vaccinate industrial workers in the city.
PRC said that Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro attended the event and was “very grateful” for Gordon's initiative and the PRC to reach more communities with this innovation.
Meanwhile, PRC also deployed the “Bakuna Bus” to Mandaluyong and Navotas, as the humanitarian organization aims to vaccinate our fisherfolk at the night markets and fishing ports.
“PRC Bakuna Bus will be there where we are needed. Our goal is to reach the last mile upang mas marami ang mabakunahan lalo na ang mga nangangailangan (so we can vaccinate those who are in need). Lahat ng Pilipino may laban. Lahat ay protektado (Every Filipino has a fighting chance. Everyone is protected),” Gordon added.
The PRC “Bakuna Centers” are located in these areas: PLMC - Mandaluyong City (300 capacity per day), Port Area Bldg – Manila (150 capacity per day), Letran University- Manila (150 capacity per day), Kabaka Center -Tondo, Manila (200 capacity per day), Pasay CA Parking Lot- Aurora Blvd, Pasay (200 capacity per day), Arcovia Mall - C5, Pasig (400 capacity per day), San Lorenzo Mall - Magallanes, Makati (400 capacity per day).
There will also be a dry run on July 1, 2021 in the following areas: City Walk Mall – Tarlac City (200 capacity per day), JTC Mall – Vigan Ilocos Sur (100 capacity per day), and SM Bacoor - Bacoor Cavite (500 capacity per day).
During a press conference on “Bakuna Centers,” UBE Express Bus and other COVID-19 issues on June 30, Gordon and other officials of PRC reiterated the importance for everyone to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Vaccination is the only answer to the variants that are coming in,” said Head Biomolecular Laboratory Dr. Paulyn Ubial.
She added that PRC will remain committed in its efforts to ramp up its vaccination capacity as long as the COVID-19 vaccine supply coming from the Department of Health (DOH) becomes more stable.