The Pateros municipal government has vaccinated 73 percent of its target population with the first dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine and is aiming to reach 100 percent this month.
As of July 8, 35,937 individuals in Pateros have received the first dose, or 73.34 percent of the target population of 49,000, representing 70 percent of the estimated total population of 70,000.
There are also 8,825 individuals who are now fully vaccinated after receiving their second dose, or 18 percent of the target population.
Pateros and San Juan, the smallest local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) in terms of population, are competing for the earliest completion of vaccination in Metro Manila to achieve herd immunity.
San Juan has a target population of 85,400 and based on the last update, it has vaccinated 78,892 for the first dose, or 92.38 percent, and 19,637 for the second dose, or 23 percent of the target population.
“Since we are the smallest, we should be the first in Metro Manila to finish the vaccination program and the first to achieve herd immunity. As of now, San Juan is leading but Pateros should not fall behind and be the second,” said Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce in a Facebook Live broadcast Thursday.
He said that if Pateros residents cooperate, the first dose vaccination will be complete this month.
Based on Pateros’ latest tally, only 13,985 individuals are left to be vaccinated to reach 100 percent for the first dose.
While other LGUs in Metro Manila have stopped the first dose vaccination due to lack of new supply of vaccine, Pateros resumed its own Wednesday using Sputnik V manufactured by Russia’s Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
Ponce also announced that Pateros will start its weekend vaccinations on July 10 to serve those who work and those who only go back to the town during weekends.