As part of its continuing efforts to help in the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has breached the four million mark when it comes to testing and has so far vaccinated more than 150,000 individuals against the respiratory disease.
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon said that as the premier humanitarian organization in the country, the PRC will “always be there to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.” “From testing to vaccination, and all things between, anything related to COVID-19 response, we will always act on it,” Gordon added.
As of Aug. 30, PRC said that four million individuals have availed of its Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), both for swab and saliva testing. PRC has 14 molecular laboratories nationwide - making it the country’s top COVID testing agency. This, Gordon said, is a feat considering that testing is one of the critical keys in controlling the virus.
Additionally, PRC’s vaccination program is also in full gear in parallel to the testing centers.
“As I said before, we testing and vaccination are our primary weapons to win our war against COVID-19,” Gordon said.
PRC has also vaccinated over 156,709 individuals as of Aug. 29, in its “Bakuna Centers” and “Bakuna Buses” nationwide.
According to PRC Health Services Manager Mark Abrigo, PRC has already vaccinated 138,020 individuals in the PRC “Bakuna Centers” while 18,689 have been vaccinated in the “PRC Bakuna Buses” across the country.
Outside the vaccine, the PRC shoulders all other costs under the COVID-19 Vaccination Program of the government including but not limited to syringes, mobilization, and vaccinator allowances.
PRC has “Bakuna Centers” in PRC PLMC, PRC EDSA Boni, PRC Port Area, PRC Pasay Chapter, PRC Manila Chapter KABAKA, PRC Manila Chapter Letran, PRC Quezon City Ever Gotesco, PRC Negros Occidental Gaisano Grand, PRC Iligan Chapter, PRC Bulacan Chapter- BSU, PRC Batangas Chapter - Xentro Mall, PRC Cavite - SM Bacoor, PRC Tarlac - City Walk Mall, PRC Olongapo - SM Downtown, PRC Bataan Chapter/Penelco/ Arcovia/ San Lorenzo Mall in coordination with respective local government units (LGUs). Interested individuals may call the PRC hotline at 1158.