The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) announced on Monday, Nov. 15, that it has vaccinated a total of 1,578 pediatric clients aged 12 to 17 without comorbidities against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the six PRC "Bakuna" Centers that have been accredited by the Department of Health (DOH).
PRC Chairman and CEO Senator Dick Gordon is hoping that more children can get vaccinated now as they are also at risk, especially with the opening of face-to-face classes this week.
" As the active ally of the government, we will continue with our unwavering commitment to vaccinate more people against COVID-19. We want to be able to reach out to more Filipinos and get them vaccinated. In this way, people can now safely go back to work and their schools, we can open up the economy and help end the Covid-19 pandemic," Gordon said.
The PRC Health Services team expects more pediatric clients for the whole month of November and in more PRC Bakuna Centers since this initiative began two weeks ago.
The PRC has also expressed its support for the opening of over 101 schools nationwide for limited face-to-face classes. For its part, the humanitarian organization said that it has provided guides to teach parents, guardians, and teachers on how students especially can stay safe as they begin to conduct limited face-to-face classes this year.
" As we continue to take a proactive approach in responding to COVID-19, we must keep everyone safe especially now with the opening of face-to-face classes. It is a must to remind everyone to keep practicing proper protocols on a daily basis to help prevent the spread of the virus. Only together we can have the power to curb the ongoing pandemic," Gordon said.
The PRC is currently supporting schools in the following locations; Ilocos Norte, Quezon, Pangasinan, Zambales, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Surigao del Norte. Meanwhile, as of November 2021, the following PRC Bakuna Centers are now accredited by the DOH; PRC PLMC, PRC Port Area, PRC Manila Letran, PRC Bataan Penelco, PRC Pangasinan CB Mall, and PRC Zamboanga City.
The PRC has vaccinated 408,678 individuals as of Nov. 12, 2021, while fully vaccinating 171,058 in its 25 Bakuna Centers and 17 Bakuna Buses nationwide ever since operations began last March.