The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Wednesday, Nov. 16, said that 325,066 Covid-19 vaccines were already administered in the Mindanao region through its 'bakuna' buses and centers.
PRC added that 76, 876 individuals were fully vaccinated while 51,238 persons received booster shots through these programs.
The 'bakuna' bus, created by the partnership of PRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), targets to bring the Covid-19 vaccine and information to people residing in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
These buses, equipped with needed supplies, were donated by the ICRC.
"Sa PRC, hindi pwedeng balewala ang mga binibigay na oportunidad para makatulong kasi hangarin namin na maiangat ang mga tao—hindi kami nag-aabot, kami ay nag-aangat ng mga tao (In PRC, we cannot ignore the opportunities given to help because we want to lift people —we do not just give, we are lifting people)," said PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon.
He added that the organization will strengthen its efforts and will include children in its vaccination program.
Meanwhile, ICRC Vice President Carbonnier also commended PRC for its vaccination efforts.
"I am very impressed by the Philippine Red Cross, the commitment of the people, the sophistication of the different activities . I believe that regionally, it is key for me to come here to the Philippines especially because ICRC has many humanitarian activities in Mindanao. These are important operations that we will keep having, and I think it is important for us in ICRC to come and see with our own eyes what we collectively manage to do," Carbonnier said.
PRC noted that aside from Covid-19, it is also planning to expand its vaccination drive against vaccine-preventable diseases such as typhoid and rubella.
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