The Baguio City Health Services Office has cited five best practices that helped the city not only achieve but even surpass vaccination targets.
As of Dec 17, the city has attained 102.21 percent accomplishment in fully vaccinating its eligible population and 118.74 percent in dispensing at least one dose to the eligible population exceeding the 70 percent target set by the Department of Health.
The city under the helm of Mayor Benjamin Magalong sought to challenge itself by imposing its own vaccination goal at 95 percent or 281,000 individuals.
As of Dec. 21, it reported a 100.37 percent accomplishment for individuals with at least one dose and 88.89 percent for fully vaccinated individuals.
For its pediatric population, it has fully vaccinated 58.44 percent and given at least one dose to 72.94 percent of its target population of 42,811 also as of Dec. 21.
The CHSO under the leadership of City Health Officer Rowena Galpo and Asst. City Health Officer Celia Flor Brillantes cited the following best practices for its successful vaccination program:
Equity – health workers and senior citizens were given priority in the vaccination program.
Target was clearly set at the start of pandemic and the goal to vaccinate more than 85 percent and later upgraded to 95 percent of the target population and was well communicated to all stakeholders.
Teamwork which means whole of government, whole of society, whole of sector approach was always emphasized.
Vaccine supply – reliable vaccine supply from national to local; purchase of vaccine by the city; vaccine loan policy by private to government.
Manpower – augmentation from the private sector like Baguio Country Club and Baguio City Economic Zone Authority, and the public through Department of Health-hired vaccinators, Baguio City Police Office, Department of Education, government hospitals, Philippine Military Academy, manpower support from the Public Order and Safety Division, 911 On Call, Baguio-Benguet Public ICAG, admin staff of universities, AFP reserve commands), private organizations and clubs.
Partnership bet-ween the public and private and religious sector for vaccination sites.
For the cold chain management, related equipment and supplies such as vaccine refrigerator and vaccine generators were donated by the private sector.
In terms of access, there was an increased availability of vaccines through Mobile Vaccination for home-bound clients, outreaches in the community, market, church goers, transport group, workplace outreaches including all public and private schools, nursing homes and isolation facilities.
In terms of policy support, there were IT Support through the B.I.D.A website (Baguio Inoculation Digital App) to monitor vaccination uptake, breakthrough infections, validate vaccination record; demand generation activities through quad-media campaign; issuance of resolution, administrative order, and advisories in support of vaccination; allocation of financial resources to hire additional manpower, food for vaccinators, overtime pay of staff; and command and control through the creation of organizational structure on vaccination program with roles and function of each member. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
