This past week, vaccination against COVID-19 has slowed in the country amid rising numbers of contagious diseases and tighter quarantine restrictions.
According to government data, only 475,304 COVID-19 vaccine doses were injected from August 9 to 15 — less than 516,601 on August 2 to 8.
This is the second consecutive week that has recorded a slowdown in vaccination. Even the government’s target is to maximize the implementation of lockdowns in some parts of the country by cracking down on vaccinations.
Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. explained that in addition to vaccination, many local governments are busy responding to rising COVID-19 cases and providing assistance to those affected by the lockdown.
In Navotas City, one of the seven vaccination sites was temporarily closed yesterday because some personnel tested positive for COVID-19 or became close contact.
“Nagbawas kami ng team, kasi mayroon tayong mga healthworkers na nagpositive at naging close contacts. Nabawasan ng 20 personnel ang health department,” said Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco.
“That’s minus 700 (individuals vaccinated) per day. Kasi ‘di ba ang isang site natin, minimum niyan 600 eh. Noon ngang may walk-in, 1,000 ‘yan,” he added.
Vaccinations slow down due to strict quarantine, increase in cases
In Marikina City, the target of vaccinating with the first dose until tomorrow is only ten thousand from last week’s target of 15,000 individuals per day.
Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro explained that only about 20,000 had not been vaccinated from those who registered online.
“Naroon na kami sa saturation point… Medyo nauubos na ‘yung mga dapat bakunahan. Lampas na kami sa 70%, sa herd immunity (for first dose vaccination). Ngayon ang natitira na lang namin doon sa eligible population baka mga 15% eh. Doon sa eligible population, ‘yung iba naman hindi rin makapagpabakuna dahil may comorbidities din na ikino-consider sila,” he said.
In Las Piñas City, the target of vaccinations per day has been raised to 8,000 now that Metro Manila is locked down from the previous 5,000. But the City Health Office sees a limit.
In Manila, about 35,000 doses per day are vaccinated, according to the Manila Health Department.
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