March 28, 2024

The city government has received a fresh supply of Moderna vaccines after months of dearth of said vaccine brand.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong solicited the 500 vials equivalent to 5,000 doses from private company ICTSI in support of the city’s vaccination campaign.

The mayor said Moderna vaccines had not been available since the last part of last year and the arrival of the supply is expected to boost the ongoing drive for second booster doses for the vulnerable population.

He said vaccinees who had their first boosters prefer homologous doses for their second boosters and those who had Moderna may be waiting for the same brand.

Besides, Moderna has just been granted Emergency Use Authorization for the 6 to 11 year-old children by the Philippine Food and Drug Authority.

The mayor said the city continues to push its vaccination program even if it had long surpassed its target for herd immunity.

“Matumal na ang nagpapabakuna kasi mataas na ang accomplishment natin sa primary doses pero tuluy-tuloy pa rin tayo,” he said.

Asst. City Health Officer Celia Flor Brillantes however said the city is encountering difficulty in pushing booster shots and primary doses for the 5 to 11 age group despite aggressive house-to-house campaign.

The mayor said people should not neglect the preventive aspect of the pandemic even if the situation got better because there is the continuing threat of the evolving virus.

He urged residents to complete their vaccine protocols to ensure protection against severe symptoms amid the continued emergence of new variants and sub-variants.

“We are faced with the threat of new variants but the good news is vaccines continue to work.  If you are vaccinated and boosted, the possibility is high that your symptoms will only be mild if you contract the virus,” the mayor said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo