Out of the 107,497 individuals vaccinated by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) as of Oct. 25, more than 3,000 are persons deprived of liberty, said the humanitarian organization.
As part of the country’s goal to beat coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and eventually reach population protection, PRC deployed their "Bakuna Buses" to the Bureau of Jail Management Penology (BJMP) located in the National Capital Region, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas where they were able to immunize over 3,866 people.
"Patuloy ang mga staff at volunteers ng Red Cross na susumikap nang bente-kwatro oras bawat araw upang mapaglingkuran ang mga Pilipino. Nais naming maabot ang bawat sulok ng Pilipinas upang mahatid ng bakuna at makamit ang herd immunity (Our staff and volunteers are continuously striving 24 hours every day to serve fellow Filipinos. We are aiming to reach every corner of the Philippines to deliver vaccines and reach herd immunity)," said Senator Dick Gordon, Chairman and CEO of PRC.
Moreover, PRC said their Bakuna Bus in Cebu has also been deployed to Talisay BJMP where the organization was able to vaccinate 1,700 individuals. Meanwhile, 300 people were inoculated in Bogo City BJMP.
The Bakuna Bus is a mobile vaccine clinic deployed in different parts of the country to inoculate Filipinos residing in far-flung communities against COVID-19.
Based on the PRC’s website, there are 24 Bakuna Buses in service.
Ten of these are in the National Capital Region (PLMC Mandaluyong, EDSA Boni, Pasay Chapter, Port Area, Manila - KABAKA, Manila - Letran, Quezon City - Ever Commonwealth, Rizal - Arcovia Mall Pasig, Rizal - SanLo Mall Makati, and PICC), six are located in North Luzon (Tarlac City Walk Mall, Bulacan - BSU, Olongapo - Harbor Point, Bataan - Penelco, Ilocos Norte - Robinsons, and La Union - Rotary Service Center), four are within South Luzon (Batangas Xentro Mall, Cavite - SM Bacoor, Cavite - VistaMall GenTri, Laguna - Light Industry & Science Park II), one is in Visayas (Negros Occidental Gaisano), while three are in Mindanao (Zamboanga City Chapter, Iligan - Chung Hua, and Davao City - Archdiocese Compound).
"To register for vaccination, call 1158 or email us at [email protected]," PRC said. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)