Tag: Department of Health (DOH)

COVID-19 Crisis: Las Piñas City praised by DOH for having clean and orderly vaccination sites

COVID-19 Crisis: Las Piñas City praised by DOH for having clean and orderly vaccination sites

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According to the Manila Bulletin’s recent report, the Department of Health (DOH) praised the City Government of Las Piñas as a result of the local vaccination sites being clean and orderly to them. The DOH conducted an on-site inspection recently.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Health (DOH) team praised the Las Pinas City government for its clean and orderly vaccination sites during an inspection visit on Tuesday, on Nov. 30.

DOH Regional director Gloria Balboa and her team visited The Tent and SM Center where the Bayanihan Bakunahan was being conducted.

Balboa praised Mayor Imelda Aguilar for the orderly vaccination procedures in the city’s two vaccination sites.

She also thanked the vacinnees who participated in the Bayanihan, Bakunahan and told them about the importance of getting the jab against COVID-19.

Balboa urged residents to continue to be mindful of the prescribed health and safety protocols as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in many countries.

Paul San Miguel, Public Information Office chief, said the city recorded a total of 8,786 residents who participated in the Bayanihan, Bakunahan on Nov. 29 and 30.

San Miguel said Balboa was also accompanied by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) City Director Mary Ann Planas, City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan, and City Health (CHO) officer-in-charge Dr. Julie Gonzales during the site visit.

The above report ended stating that Mayor Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery continued to encourage locals to get vaccinated.

For all the unvaccinated people reading this, any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways (4 methods) by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination

Meanwhile, the City Government is already handling the online registration process for COVID-19 vaccination for local minors (aged 12 to 17) which can be done at http://laspinascityonline.laspinascity.gov.ph/eCVRS/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOH should have inspected more vaccination sites in your city? How many people in your local community got fully vaccinated?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Panic and the closing of borders related to the Omicron variant

COVID-19 Crisis: Panic and the closing of borders related to the Omicron variant

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As a growing number of nations closed their borders to foreign travelers due to the fear over the Omicron variant (coronavirus variant B.1.1.529) magnified by secular and liberal news media organizations, CBN News published a related news report highlighting the statement of the head of the South African Medical Association that Western nations are panicking unnecessarily over the said new variant.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from CBN News’ report. Some parts in boldface…

The World Health Organization calls Omicron “a variant of concern,” but admits more needs to be learned about it. 

Initial reports describe it as having very mild symptoms.

But the virus may also be highly transmissible. Two new cases have just been confirmed in Canada, the first known to have reached North America. 

Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, said preliminary evidence shows that it is more transmissible. “We don’t know for sure. We really have no data on severity, whether it’s more severe, milder, or more significant,” Jha said.

The United States has decided to ban travelers from South Africa and seven other countries in the region.

Israel has closed its borders to noncitizens for two weeks and has authorized cell phone surveillance of anyone confirmed to be carrying the variant. 

Japan also suspended entry to foreign visitors.

But the head of the South African Medical Association, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, said Western nations are panicking unnecessarily. 

“There’s body aches and pain with a bit of a headache, not really sore throat, more of a scratchy type of description and no cough and no loss of smell or taste. And that’s what I call ‘mild symptoms.‘”

South Africa’s Health Minister, Joe Phaala, slammed what he called the ‘draconian’ travel bans.

“The reaction of some of the countries in terms of imposing travel bans and such measures are completely against the norms and standards as guided by the World Health Organization.” 

Here in the Philippines, the Omicron variant news reports sparked calls for ramping up COVID-19 vaccination just as the 3-day nationwide vaccination drive resulted 2.5 million shots administered on the first day. Omicron also brought local stocks down by a little over 1% on November 29 and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the required wearing of face shields (which are unpopular and are really inconvenient to use as they distort vision and make verbal communication more problematic). These local developments show how much of a negative impact Omicron has made through the news and also shows how concerned or panicky people could get.

Anyone who follows Jesus as Lord and Savior should know that no matter what the situation and no matter how much fear and negativity the global new media spreads, they should NOT panic at all and should maintain unwavering faith in Him for protection and lifting.

To all the faithful as well as all others who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior reading this…the Lord will not abandon us nor forsake us. Trust in the Lord wholeheartedly and eternally. Submit to the Lord and be led by the Holy Spirit. Learn from the following scriptures below…

Do not yield to fear, for I am always near.
    Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God.
    I will infuse you with my strength
    and help you in every situation.
    I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’
“All who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced.
    All who contend with you will perish and disappear.
 You will look for your enemies in vain;
    those who war against you will vanish without a trace!

Isaiah 41:10-12 (TPT)

Fear and intimidation is a trap that holds you back.
    But when you place your confidence in the Lord,
    you will be seated in the high place.

Proverbs 29:25 (TPT)

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:6-9 (NKJV)

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Millions of Sputnik V vaccine doses plus 5,000 Sputnik Light vaccine doses in the Philippines

COVID-19 Crisis: Millions of Sputnik V vaccine doses plus 5,000 Sputnik Light vaccine doses in the Philippines

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Last week, a few million brand new doses of Sputnik V vaccines arrived here in the Philippines and at the same time, the single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine also arrived according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report.

You must be wondering what the differences between Sputnik V and Sputnik Light are. To understand things better, posted are excerpts about the two vaccines from SputnikVaccine.com for your reference. Some parts in boldface…

About Sputnik V

Sputnik V is the world’s first registered vaccine based on a well-studied human adenovirus vector platform. It has been approved for use in 71 countries with a total population of 4 billion people.

The vaccine is named after the first Soviet space satellite. The launch of Sputnik-1 in 1957 reinvigorated space research around the world, creating a so called “Sputnik moment” for the global community.

The vaccine’s efficacy is 97.6%, based on the analysis of data on the incidence of coronavirus among Russians vaccinated with both vaccine components between December 5, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for the vaccine were completed on August 1, 2020. The Phase 3 clinical trial results were published in Russia in the Lancet magazine on February 2, 2021. Phase 3 clinical trials of Sputnik V have also been successful in the UAE, India, Venezuela and Belarus.

The Sputnik V vaccine is based on a proven well-studied human adenovirus vector platform; these vectors cause the common cold and have plagued humanity for millennia.

Sputnik V was the first coronavirus vaccine to use a heterogeneous boosting approach based on 2 different vectors for 2 vaccine shots. This approach generates a more sustainable immunity compared to vaccines that use the same delivery mechanism for both shots.

The safety, efficacy and lack of long-term adverse effects of adenovirus vaccines have been proven in more than 250 clinical trials over two decades.

Sputnik V does not cause severe allergies.

A storage temperature of +2…+8 °C allows the vaccine to be stored in a regular refrigerator without the need to invest in additional cold chain infrastructure.

Sputnik V is effective against new strains of coronavirus, according to a study by the Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology published in the leading international magazine Vaccines.

The vaccine produces protective neutralising antibody titres against new strains, including Alpha B.1.1.7 (first identified in the UK), Beta B.1.351 (first identified in South Africa), Gamma P.1 (first identified in Brazil), Delta B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3 (first identified in India) and variants B.1.1.141 and B.1.1.317 with mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) identified in Moscow.

About Sputnik Light

Sputnik Light is the first component (recombinant human adenovirus serotype number 26 (rAd26)) of Sputnik V – the world’s first registered vaccine against coronavirus.

The Sputnik Light vaccine, like Sputnik V, is based on a proven well-studied human adenovirus vector platform; these vectors cause the common cold and have peacefully coexisted with humanity for millenia.

Safety of Sputnik Light, as the first component of Sputnik V, was confirmed by real-world data from UAE, Bahrain, Argentina, Russia, Mexico, Serbia, San Marino, Philippines, Libya, Paraguay, Hungary, Azerbaijan and Belarus.

Sputnik Light, the first component of Sputnik V, is a safe and approved stand-alone one-shot vaccine. 80% proven efficacy against infection, higher than that of most two-shot vaccines.

Sputnik Light is also a leading booster shot for people previously infected with COVID-19 (and) for revaccinations after Sputnik V or other vaccines.

Sputnik Light as a stand-alone vaccine is highly effective against Delta and other mutations: 70% efficacy against infection by Delta, over 75% efficacy in the age group below 60. Efficacy against hospitalization and severe disease is even higher. Sputnik Light efficacy as a booster will be close to that of two shots of Sputnik V against Delta.

Sputnik Light has a long-lasting protection, which even increases over 4-6 months following the vaccination. Many other vaccines showed dramatic decrease in efficacy against Delta variant to below 50% within the same time period.

Were you about to absorb all the details in the above excerpts? Whatever you think of Sputnik V and Sputnik Light, I recommend you read their respective full articles on the official Sputnik Vaccine website.

And now we can proceed on the recent news about the two Russian vaccines and the Philippines. To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines plans to procure more of the one-shot Sputnik Light anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine after receiving its first batch, donated by Russia, on Friday.

A total of 5,000 doses of the Sputnik Light vaccine arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, along with the 2,805,000 doses (1,402,500 doses each of Components I and II) of Sputnik V shots, which were procured by the Philippine government.

National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said negotiations are underway for the procurement of at least 10 million more doses of Sputnik Light.

“We are confident that these talks would yield positive results as we diversify our vaccine portfolio and scale up our vaccine throughput and achieve herd immunity by the first quarter of 2022,” Galvez said in an interview. “We are very happy that we will be renegotiating again for Sputnik Light.”

He said the government would allocate the first batch of the one-shot Sputnik Light vaccine to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which has the lowest vaccination rate among the 17 regions, with about 320,000 fully inoculated out of the 2.9 million target population.

“Ibigay muna natin sa mga hindi pa nakakakuha ng (Let’s give these to those who have yet to get) protection. I believe it is more useful na gamitin itong (to use these) as first dose so we can at least protect na agad ‘yung (right away the) first 5,000,” Galvez said.

He said the latest delivery of 2.8 million doses of Sputnik V completes the government’s procurement contract with the Russian Direct Investment Fund for the supply of 10 million doses.

“The completion of this contract is a testament to the robust relationship between our countries. Moreover, it demonstrates Russia’s strong commitment to helping provide greater vaccine accessibility to all nations, including the Philippines,” Galvez said. “We will be able to protect five million more Filipinos from the fatal effect of the Covid-19 virus and continue to bring down our active caseload and save more lives.”

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Sputnik Light vaccine may be more effective as a booster shot.

“Mukhang maganda for booster iyong Sputnik Light. Mas mahaba daw ang (The Sputnik Light may be better used for booster shots. It gives longer) protection of about eight months beyond,” Duque said in another interview. “We’re going to have our vaccine expert panel review the documents.”

Galvez echoed Duque’s statements, saying the Sputnik Light could boost the primary doses that are adenoviral vector-based vaccines, such as AstraZeneca and the similar single-dose Janssen.

“There are many scholars in Jordan saying the Sputnik Light is good. And also, this fits with our heterologous or mix and match of boosters,” he said.

The Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization of the following vaccine brands to include an additional shot – Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Sputnik Light.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about this new development? If you have been vaccinated with Sputnik V, how long has it been since your last shot? If you are fully vaccinated already, regardless of vaccine brands, would you be willing to accept a Sputnik vaccine as your booster shot?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 33 million fully vaccinated people around the Philippines

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 33 million fully vaccinated people around the Philippines

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According to a report by GMA Network, the total number of fully vaccinated people here in the Philippines surpassed 33 million. On face value, the number looks big but in reality, it is only a fraction of the target number of people who are eligible to be vaccinated. Also it should be remembered that the Philippines has an overall population of more than 100 million.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

About 33.3 million individuals or 39% of the eligible population in the country are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

In a radio interview, Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the 39% is based on the population who are allowed to get vaccinated, which is around 84 million.

This figure is still far from the government’s target of vaccinating 80% of its 109 million population by May 9, 2022.

The DOH is, however, ramping up the inoculation drive by conducting a three-day national vaccination campaign dubbed as “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” which seeks to administer five million doses daily or a total of 1 million jabs.

Vergeire emphasized that this shall prioritize the unvaccinated individuals, but the DOH has yet to decide if the boosters will be included in this inoculation drive from November 29 to December 1.

“Kaya natin ito ginagawa para maitaas pa ho natin ang fully vaccinated sa ating bansa bago man lang mag-Pasko, bago mag-holiday season. So, that’s our real target–those who are not yet vaccinated,” she said.

(We are doing this to increase the number of fully vaccinated individuals in our country before the Christmas season. Our real target is those who are not yet vaccinated.)

“Ito po ang pinaguusapan sa ngayon ano, if we are going to also have booster shots during this National Vaccination Day. Magbibigay po tayo ng anunsyo kung itutuloy po natin itong booster vaccination during these three days po.”

(We are still discussing if we would include the booster shots during the National Vaccination Day, and if so, we will announce it soon.)

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What can you say about this new development? If you are a fully vaccinated person, are you anticipating already the eventual booster shot/3rd shot?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 180 health workers receive booster shots in Muntinlupa City on 1st day of booster rollout

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 180 health workers receive booster shots in Muntinlupa City on 1st day of booster rollout

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The City Government of Muntinlupa announced that over one hundred eighty health workers received their respective booster shots during the first day of the rollout of booster shots that took place last Friday, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government rolled out the administration of booster shots in different vaccination sites on Nov. 19.

According to the City Health Office (CHO), 183 fully vaccinated healthcare workers belonging to the A1 priority group were given booster shots on the first day of the rollout.

Of the total, 178 received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as booster shots while five were given Sinovac Life Sciences’ CoronaVac vaccine.

By vaccination site, 131 healthcare workers were vaccinated at the city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun), 23 at SM Center-Muntinlupa, 17 at Ayala Malls South Park and 12 at Sucat covered court.

In total, 4,748 individuals were vaccinated in Muntinlupa on Nov. 19 including 860 minors aged 12 to 17 years old who got their first dose and 143 minors who received their second dose, making them fully vaccinated.

In launching the booster shots, the Muntinlupa City government held a ceremonial event at SM Center-Muntinlupa attended by CHO officer-in-charge Dr. Juancho Bunyi, Department of Health (DOH) representative Dr. Anatoly De Los Santos, Coun. Allan Camilon and National Immunization Program Coordinator Dr. Rochelle Abat.

According to the DOH, boosters shots are “doses administered to a vaccinated population that has completed primary vaccination series, when, with time, vaccine effectiveness has fallen below a rate deemed sufficient in that population, as indicated in the EUA [Emergency Use Authorization] issued by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration].”

It added that for those who were fully vaccinated with Sinovac’s CoronaVac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Sputnik V, the administration of booster shots is given at least six months after they received their second dose. For the single-dose Janssen vaccine, the booster shot is given at least three months after getting inoculated.

Residents of Muntinlupa City who remain unregistered and unvaccinated should make a move to get registered by learning the ways to do it. Those who are prepared (with personal information available) and willing to go through online registration for the free vaccines in Muntinlupa are encouraged to click https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

Muntinlupa minors may register online through the city’s COVID-19 vaccination registration system at www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and choose category “C – Rest of Population.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, are you eager to find out when will the local authorities start rolling out booster shots for full vaccinated patients from the general population?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Around 200 hundred minors with comorbidities vaccinated in Muntinlupa City in the first two days

COVID-19 Crisis: Around 200 hundred minors with comorbidities vaccinated in Muntinlupa City in the first two days

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Following the launch of vaccinating local minors (aged 12-17) for COVID-19 in Muntinlupa City, the Manila Bulletin reported recently that almost two hundred minors with comorbidities got vaccinated locally based on the latest statistics.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government has vaccinated 198 minors aged 12 to 17 years old with comorbidities.

According to Dr. Edwin Dimatatac, medical director of Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) which has been designated by the government as one of the pilot hospitals for the vaccination of minors with comorbidities, 72 minors were vaccinated on the first day last Oct. 25 followed by 126 on Oct. 26 for a total of 198.

The first 72 minors did not experience any reaction to the vaccine, Dimatatac said. Details on any reactions from the 126 minors were unavailable as of this writing.

As of Oct. 25, 14,896 12-to-17-year-olds have registered with the Muntinlupa City COVID-19 Vaccination program, equivalent to 27 percent of the estimated total population of 55,391 for the age group in the city.

Minors, classified by the Department of Health (DOH) as Pediatric A3 group, are currently being vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, one of two vaccines approved by the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in people 12 years old and above. The other vaccine approved for minors is Moderna.

Under the DOH guidelines, the parent or legal guardian and the minor should sign the consent and assent forms before vaccination.

A medical certificate for the minor is also needed while the parents or guardians need to present a valid ID and proof of filiation such as birth certificate.

Muntinlupa residents may register for vaccination at vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac.

The comorbidities allowed for the vaccination of minors are: medical complexity, genetic conditions, neurologic conditions, metabolic/endocrine diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, HIV infection, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory diseases, renal disorders, hepatobiliary diseases and immunocompromised state due to disease or treatment.

Residents of Muntinlupa City who remain unregistered and unvaccinated should make a move to get registered by learning the ways to do it. Those who are prepared (with personal information available) and willing to go through online registration for the free vaccines in Muntinlupa are encouraged to click https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

Muntinlupa minors may register online through the city’s COVID-19 vaccination registration system at www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and choose category “C – Rest of Population.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what can you say about this latest local development? If you are a Muntinlupa City resident with a child aged 12 to 17-years-old, are you comfortable about the idea of having your child vaccinated for COVID-19?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Enough supplies of COVID-19 vaccines for booster/3rd shots according to DOH

COVID-19 Crisis: Enough supplies of COVID-19 vaccines for booster/3rd shots according to DOH

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As the issue of the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot and 3rd shot begins to be more talked about in the public, the Department of Health (DOH) announced that there will be enough vaccines in stock to meet the demands for such shots, according to a recent Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Health (DOH) said there will be enough supply of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines in the Philippines once the government starts the implementation of giving booster doses and additional shots to certain groups of the population.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said millions of vaccine doses are expected to be delivered in the country within this year.

“Actually, ang ating vaccine cluster has already announced itong mga parating na bakuna dito sa ating bansa. So starting this November, meron po tayong inaasahan na almost 20 to 25 million doses pa (Actually, our vaccine cluster has already announced these additional vaccines for our country. So starting this November, we expect about 20 to 25 million more doses),” said Vergeire in a television interview on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

“So with the existing stocks pati yung mga parating, enough naman po yung ating supplies (as well as the ones that are coming, we have enough supplies),” she added.

Based on the data of the National Task Force against of COVID-19, a total of 97,678,340 vaccine doses were already delivered in the Philippines.

The Philippines has already administered 56,202,893 vaccine doses as of Oct. 25, as shown in the DOH COVID-19 vaccination dashboard.

Even if the DOH already approved the administration of booster doses and third shots, Vergeire said that they are still in the stage of planning on how it will be done.

“Iyan po ang rekomendasyon ng ating WHO (World Health Organization)—for the immunocompromised, senior citizens, and healthcare workers. Although tinitingnan natin, syempre operationally—– kailangan natin tingnan kung paano natin maisasagawa with this short time period, hanggang December. Baka mag-spill over din tayo hanggang sa isang taon (That is the recommendation of the WHO — for the immunocompromised, senior citizens, and healthcare workers. Although we are looking, of course operationally —– we need to see how we can do this with this short time period, until December. It may spill over into next year),” she said.

Also, before this can be implemented, an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would still be needed.

“Before we can be able to implement this, kailangan ng amended emergency use authority nung ating mga bakuna dito sa ating bansa (we need an amended emergency use authority for our vaccines here in our country),” said Vergeire.

“Lahat ng bakuna natin ngayon ay may emergency use authority. Pero yung EUA po kasi nila, ngayon, currently, specific po yun na dalawang doses lang ang ibibigay, and para sa Janssen na vaccine, isang dose lang. Kaya kailangan po natin ma-amend (All our vaccines now have emergency use authority. But the EUA currently, it’s specific that only two doses will be given, and for the Janssen vaccine, only one dose. So we need to amend that),” she added.

On Monday, Oct. 25, Vergeire said that they are looking to administer COVID-19 booster shots and additional doses to health workers and other eligible groups by November or December.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this latest development? If you were fully vaccinated, how long has it been since your 2nd dose? Do you fully trust the WHO? Are you ready to take a 3rd shot of the vaccine once you are contacted?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City launches pediatric A3 vaccination vs COVID-19 at Ospital ng Muntinlupa

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City launches pediatric A3 vaccination vs COVID-19 at Ospital ng Muntinlupa

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The City Government of Muntinlupa has officially started inoculating minors aged 12-17 years old with co-morbidities two days ago at the city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) in Alabang.

Joining the pilot pediatric vaccination at OsMun include Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, DOH-NCR Asst. Regional Director and NTF Consultant Dr. Maria Paz Corrales, OsMun director Edwin Dimatatac, City Health Officer Dr. Juancho Bunyi, and Coun. Allan Camilon.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urges parents and guardians to register their children to the Muntinlupa City COVID-19 Vaccination Program (MunCoVac) as protection from the adverse effect of COVID-19.

The City Government of Muntinlupa has started inoculating minors aged 12-17 years old with co-morbidities on Monday, October 25, at the city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) in Alabang. A 17 year old female resident with allergic rhinitis and asthma was the first pediatric A3 vaccine recipient in Muntinlupa. Joining the pilot pediatric vaccination at OsMun include Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (3rd from right), DOH-NCR Asst. Regional Director and NTF Consultant Dr. Maria Paz Corrales (2nd from left), OsMun director Edwin Dimatatac (left), and Coun. Allan Camilon (center). (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

A 17-year-old female resident with allergic rhinitis and asthma was the first pediatric A3 vaccine recipient in Muntinlupa.

As of Oct. 25, the City Government received vaccination registration from 14,896 minors including 555 who are with co-morbidities.

Co-morbidities eligible for the Pediatric A3 vaccination are as follows: Medical complexity, Genetic conditions, Neurologic conditions, Metabolic/endocrine diseases, Cardiovascular diseases, Obesity, HIV Infection, Tuberculosis, Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Renal Disorders, Hepatobiliary Diseases, and Immunocompromised state due to disease or treatment.

To date, Pfizer and Moderna are the only vaccines with emergency use authorization for 12 to 17 years old issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration to be used for the Pediatric A3 population.

City residents may register online through MunCoVac vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac to receive a schedule. After receiving their schedule, vaccine recipients with their parents or guardians should proceed to the OsMun vaccination site.

A medical certification given by the attending pediatrician/physician detailing the comorbidity of the vaccine recipient shall be secured prior to the vaccination schedule and shall be presented in the registration area during the vaccination schedule.

Parents or guardians should also present a valid ID and proof of filiation such as birth certificate.

OsMun was selected by the national government as one of the hospitals for the second phase of the vaccination of minors, classified as Pediatric A3 group, which started on Oct. 22.

Other hospitals to accommodate pediatric vaccination against COVID-19 under the second phase of vaccination of minors include Caloocan City Medical Center (North and South), Ospital ng Malabon, Navotas City Hospital, Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital, Marikina Sports Complex which is near Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City General Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center-Quezon City, Ospital ng Maynila, Ospital ng Makati, SM Megamall Mega Vaccination Site which is near Mandaluyong City Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Parañaque 1, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, and Pasay City General Hospital. While St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City in Taguig will also cater to vaccinees from the Municipality of Pateros.

Meanwhile, around 92 percent of Muntinlupa’s target population have already been vaccinated, translating to more than 640,000 vaccines administered.

MunCoVac reported that as of Oct. 22, the City Government has administered a total of 646,730 vaccines. 353,490 individuals have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine or 91.6% of the target, while 297,599 individuals or 77.2% of the target have been fully vaccinated. Of the total number of vaccinated individuals, at least 15,394 (first dose) and 5,474 (second dose) were inoculated in Muntinlupa private companies.

The target population to be vaccinated in Muntinlupa is 385,725 individuals or 70% of 551,036 Muntinlupa’s estimated population for 2020.

As of October 24, Muntinlupa City has 27,208 confirmed cases with 26,387 recoveries, 257 active cases, 564 reported deaths, 139 suspect cases, and 871 probable cases.

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The above information was sourced from an official press release. Some parts were changed for this website.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: 3rd vaccine shots for health workers and vulnerable sector members planned by government

COVID-19 Crisis: 3rd vaccine shots for health workers and vulnerable sector members planned by government

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Is there a health worker or a member of the vulnerable sector among the members of your local community right now? You might want to inform them that the national authorities are planning to administer to each of them a third shot (or 3rd dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine according to a recent news report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). It could happen sooner than later. This particular development should make you think about how long the immunity you gained from the COVID-19 vaccine – specifically when you have been vaccinated with two doses most brands of COVID-19 vaccines – would last before you need to be vaccinated again.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday said the government is planning to begin administering a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine for the healthcare workers and the country’s vulnerable sector by November or early December.

“Ito po pineprepare na namin ni (Health Secretary Francisco) Duque, dahil nagbigay na po ng inclination ang WHO (World Health Organization), na ‘yung ating vaccination for third dosing, considering na maglalapse na po ‘yung immunity (Duque and I are already preparing [revaccination] since the WHO has already given its inclination for the vaccination for third dosing, considering that the immunity will lapse,” Galvez reported to President Rodrigo Duterte during the taped Talk to the People.

“Maybe we can start by November or early December,” he added.

The Department of Health (DOH) is awaiting the WHO’s official recommendation to give additional doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to immunocompromised persons, senior citizens, and healthcare workers.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the WHO is expected to release its final recommendation by November.

Vergeire clarified that booster shots and additional doses are different and the WHO has yet to recommend a third shot for the general population.

According to experts, a booster shot is an additional dose after the protection of the original shot(s) has decreased over time, while a third shot is for those with certain health conditions to help further protect them from severe Covid-19 case or death.

Following a four-day meeting, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization on Oct. 11 said those with weakened immunity should receive an additional shot.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this latest development? If you were fully vaccinated, how long has it been since your 2nd dose? Do you fully trust the WHO?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: More than 43,000 businesses certified with Safety Seals

COVID-19 Crisis: More than 43,000 businesses certified with Safety Seals

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Since its implementation months ago (click here, here and here) the Safety Seal certification program has covered a lot of business establishments and offices (including government). Recently, it was reported by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that more than 43,000 business establishments nationwide have been certified safe as Safety Seals were issued to them. This is really good news because our nation badly needs economic recovery as a lot of workers lost their jobs and income as a result of the last enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that happened in Metro Manila as well in other regions. The national economy has clearly been damaged not only by COVID-19 but also by the lockdowns (note: observe closely how the top officials of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Metro Manila Council think and act when making their recommendations to the IATF).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

A total of 43,332 public and private establishments nationwide have been issued safety seal certifications, an assurance to the public that health protocols are put in place amid the quarantine restrictions.

The safety seal certification program indicates the compliance of establishments to the minimum public health standards (MPHS) set by the government.

In a news release issued Tuesday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the certification program is beneficial to the country’s recovering economy as it boosts the confidence of consumers in going out and patronizing business in the new normal with the assurance that a business establishment is compliant with health protocols.

He encouraged more businesses to adopt the seal as an effective measure in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

“Businesses can do their share in the fight against the pandemic and create a healthy space for consumers to transact their purchases and for employees to gainfully and safely earn a living,” Lopez said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año told owners of establishments, especially those in areas under strict quarantine restrictions, to take the time to apply for a safety seal.

“Applying for a Safety Seal is not mandatory. However, business establishments are highly encouraged to apply since this will also help them attract customers which eventually leads to increased sales and profit,” he said.

Since its implementation in May 2021, a total of 85,731 applications were received by the issuing agencies as reported by the Safety Seal Technical Working Group (TWG); 50.54 percent or 43,332 applications were approved while 11.50 percent or 9,858 applications were either denied or referred to the appropriate agency.

The remaining percentage represents those that are still in the inspection process.

“I commend and congratulate the establishments that have taken the lead in securing their Safety Seal certifications. This will build confidence that their respective companies are committed to ensuring the health and safety of their stakeholders and workers,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Under the program, a business establishment is eligible to apply for a safety seal given that it is duly registered, adopting the Staysafe.ph app or any other local government unit-mandated digital contact tracing application and strictly following and implementing the MPHS.

“The implementation of the Safety Seal Program is a very laudable initiative that highly reinforces our country’s response to combat Covid-19. As we gradually reopen our economy, it is important to ensure that our people are safe, and adherence to Minimum Public Health Standards is one vital key to this aspect,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) also reaches out to tourism establishment owners to get the seal.

“The Safety Seal certification program bodes well with the DOT’s priority to ensure the health and safety of both tourists and tourism workers. Let us continue to make travel fun and safe for all,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

The Safety Seal Technical Working Group assured the public that the government exerts the best efforts with a whole-of-government and whole-of-society coordination in support of the Inter-Agency Task Force’s Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategy.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: As a consumer, are you confident that economic recovery will happen over the next twelve months? Are there still many business joints in your local community that are operating without Safety Seals? Do you believe that the MMDA and the Metro Manila Council should be held accountable for every job lost as a result of their recommending ECQ to the IATF?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673