Tag: vaccination

COVID-19 Crisis: DILG urges LGUs to sign up non-tech savvy senior citizens for vaccination

COVID-19 Crisis: DILG urges LGUs to sign up non-tech savvy senior citizens for vaccination

carlocarrasco

Here in the Philippines, senior citizens are a priority group of people for COVID-19 vaccines and in order to avail of such vaccines, registration is the first step (which goes the same for others). Once the registration has been done, the local organizers will have to maintain the records, look closely and sort out the senior citizens whom they will contact and inform them of the slots scheduled for them.

While Internet access is widely available in the Philippines, there are still senior citizens who cannot get themselves registered digitally (online registration) not only because of the lack of access (or lack of hardware) but because they are not familiar with the digital ways and processes. In the City of Las Piñas, vaccine registration can be done digitally or manually. Check out the details right here. If other cities don’t offer manual registration at all, then their senior citizens who have no Internet access or are not oriented with computers/gadgets are in a major disadvantage and may have been left behind.

In relation to this, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGUs) to come up with ideas to help the disadvantaged senior citizens get registered. Posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) article. Some parts in bold…

Local government units (LGUs) should find a way to register seniors, who are non-tech savvy and without access to the internet, for a Covid-19 vaccination schedule, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

“The LGUs must help our seniors who do not know how to use high-tech gadgets. Find the ways on how to register them immediately even manually so that they can avail themselves of the vaccines,” Año said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Wednesday.

While many older adults have access to the internet and are tech-savvy, others are not and have a hard time navigating vaccination registration websites set up by LGUs.

“Kung kinakailangan i-house-to-house sila (If needed, LGUs should conduct house-to-house visitations to register them) then so be it,” Año said.

Since the start of the vaccination rollout last March, among the groups prioritized for inoculation are senior citizens or under the A2 category.

So there you have it! DILG Eduardo Año made a pitch to the LGUs to literally go the extra mile to help the senior citizens who could not get registered digitally. It should be noted that there are some senior citizens who are bedridden or are physically disadvantaged and could not get themselves registered online. Also remember that some websites designed for online registration might not be user-friendly enough for senior citizens and others who are just starting using the Internet.

In ending this article, let me ask you these questions: Is your local government unit doing enough to get disadvantaged people registered for COVID-19 vaccines? Do you know any senior citizen in your local community who badly needs help on getting registered? Have you thought about assisting senior citizens (who are not oriented with computers and online processes) to get registered? Is your local government unit offering manual registration? Is your barangay offering assistance to senior citizens who are unable to get registered? Did anyone from the LGU or your barangay send representatives to your local community to help the unregistered senior citizens get registered?

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

+++++

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: New Las Piñas City vaccination sites at SM Center and SM Southmall opened for patients

COVID-19 Crisis: New Las Piñas City vaccination sites at SM Center and SM Southmall opened for patients

carlocarrasco

Good news for all those based in Las Piñas City needing vaccines for COVID-19! It was reported by the Manila Bulletin that two new vaccination sites were opened which reflects the cooperation between the City Government and SM.

To be more specific, the new vaccination sites are located within the premises of SM Southmall and SM Center Las Piñas.

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

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar expressed appreciation to the management of SM Center and SM Southmall for offering spaces in their malls as vaccination sites.

Aguilar said the two COVID-19 vaccination sites that will open starting Wednesday (May 19) are located at the activity area of SM Center on the second floor and at the cinema section of SM Southmall on the fourth floor.

She said the two sites are additional to the 12 current vaccination areas serving the residents from 20 barangays in the city.

The mayor said the two new vaccination sites can now accommodate more patients who wanted to be inoculated.

Aguilar said the new sites would initially accept about 200 senior citizens and adults with comorbidities on the first day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are happy that a growing number of residents are now willing to be vaccinated as we have been encouraging them all along, stressing the importance of their protection from the fatal effects of COVID-19,” Aguilar said.

To date, those who were given the first dose of vaccines are already on their second dose and being scheduled along with the residents in categories 2 and 3.

The above report ended with an official count of 37,364 people in the city already vaccinated for the first dose and over 10,000 vaccinated with their second dose, according to the local CHO or City Health Office.

The newest vaccination sites with SM involved are a blessing. The City Government is dedicated on serving Las Piñas residents while SM has a long-term record of customer care and utilizing their available commercial spaces for vaccinating the locals is worth admiring. Technically, having more vaccination sites can somehow decongest the incoming traffic of patients at the other vaccination sites.

In relation to this, SM Southmall made an official moment yesterday via their Facebook page. Below is an excerpt. Some parts in bold…

In accordance and full cooperation with Las Piñas City Office & Health Office, SM Southmall is opening its door as a vaccination site today, May 19, 2021, from 8am to 6pm at 3rd Level, Cinema Lobby.

The vaccination will prioritize (A2) Senior Citizens and (A3) Persons with comorbidities.

We are encouraging everyone to register online thru this link bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination and patiently wait for an SMS regarding your vaccination schedule and designated site.

❌Strictly NO walk-ins❌

For additional questions and concerns, you may call the ff. hotline below:

•09271400554 •09271400542 •09271400547 •09605140383 •09605140382 •09605140381

Below are visual instructions, including the QR code.

Take note of the details above, notably the confirmation that walk-ins will not be accepted. Registration and confirmation should happen first before you visit any vaccination site. Also check out these photos of the SM Southmall vaccination site below. Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery personally visited the said site.

The encoding and vaccination areas at the brand new vaccination site inside SM Southmall. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)
Patients getting monitored. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)
Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery (standing) observing the vaccination of a patient. (source – SM Southmall Facebook page)

For the newcomers reading this, get to know the ways to get registered by clicking right here. There are details and images with instructions included. For more insight about COVID-19 developments in Las Piñas, read about the number of people who got vaccinated as well as the announcement of an additional isolation center.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you a Las Piñas resident who is happy to learn about the brand-new vaccination sites made possible by SM Southmall and SM Center LP in coordination with the City Government? Does this latest development encourage you to get registered and line up for the free COVID-19 vaccine?

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

+++++

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: Long lines and a lot of people during the Pfizer vaccine launch in Parañaque City

COVID-19 Crisis: Long lines and a lot of people during the Pfizer vaccine launch in Parañaque City

carlocarrasco

Let me ask you my readers based in Parañaque City – did you witness the launch of the Pfizer vaccine at a certain shopping mall in the city this past Monday (May 17)?

During that day, I spotted a lot of pictures and videos posted by Internet users on Facebook related to the Parañaque rollout of the Pfizer vaccine (note: Israel itself used vaccines of Pfizer). Those images showed very long lines of people trying to enter that shopping mall and many of the comments posted by users mentioned very long waiting times, confusion and frustration.

For starters, watch this related news video from GMA Network.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from yesterday’s Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in bold…

Parañaque City residents flocked a mall in the city on Monday (May 17), in hopes of getting vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, but many left the place disappointed and criticized the handling that they experienced.

A resident who requested anonymity, reached out to the Manila Bulletin and mentioned how the rollout became a “super-spreader” event mainly due to the reason that there was only one venue for the Pfizer vaccine rollout which was the mall, concentrating all residents in a single place.

“So the whole of Parañaque in A1 – A3 classifications came by because many didn’t get confirmation texts,” she said.

The resident mentioned that the city initially said in a post on the Facebook page of the Public Information Office on Sunday afternoon that “interested fellows” may come.

“By Sunday night, it was changed to those who have confirmed schedule. But what is a confirmed schedule? When people just get an email or text confirming a Patient ID,” she said.

“Also in the Sputnik rollout, walk-ins were allowed so naturally now people know that is possible so a lot came by,” she added.

It can be remembered that many residents were also eager to get inoculated during the pilot vaccination of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in Parañaque City on May 4, and a lot of them were left fuming after they spent hours waiting without even getting the jab.

Meanwhile, the resident also claimed that the way the seniors were treated, they were just standing on snake lines spanning the whole transport terminal from morning until afternoon in the “sweltering heat”.

The resident, who belonged to the A3 category or persons with comorbidities, arrived at the mall at 7:40 a.m. with her husband who recovered from COVID-19. She said that marshals in the area also did not know how to respond and were sending people back in line which by 8:30 a.m. was already 2,000, according to her.

Mayor Edwin Olivarez said in a report on 24 Oras that many walk-ins or those who did not receive a text confirmation for their schedule of vaccination arrived. He said that they were advised that there will be a specific time for them to come.

To be clear, this is not the first time that Parañaque residents joined the long line and got frustrated. In relation to the above report, the Manila Bulletin also published another report while the Pfizer rollout went on. This one includes summarized feedback from the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19. Check out the excerpt below…

What was supposed to be a momentous event turned out to be chaotic as the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine at a mall in Paranaque City on Monday, May 17, was heavily criticized for the poor handling of the vaccinees, resulting to violation of minimum health standards such as the observance of social distancing.

The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 expressed concern over the “obvious lack of social distancing” by the vaccinees during the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine at a mall along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard corner Aseana Avenue.

Prior to the rollout, the Paranaque City government announced that the event was “strictly intended for scheduled patients with secured slots” but photos and videos posted by netizens on social media showed that scores of people showed up at the venue and social distancing was no longer observed.

A netizen, Chinggay Kanapi, who posted photos of the vaccination event, described the incident as a “super spreader event” as she claimed that “thousands and thousands of people [were] milling around with no information where to fall in line.”

Kanapi told the Manila Bulletin that she initially waited at the parking lot of the mall where the vaccinees would have to enter before being allowed to get the vaccine but she was surprised to see that physical distancing was not observed.

“After so many hours waiting in that awful parking lot, my driver came up to me and said that there was an easier way. We passed thru McDo and entered the mall without being stopped. Then it was a breeze going thru the process in the vaccine area! I pity the ones outside who didn’t figure it out like my driver,” Kanapi said.

Long lines, uncomfortable conditions, alleged lack of care and precision, walk-ins happening, registered residents waiting longer than expected…these are unfortunate events that seem to be repeating in Parañaque, at least in the shopping mall that had the respective local launch events of Sputnik V and Pfizer vaccines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the launch of Pfizer vaccines in Parañaque? Do you believe the allegations are true? If you were among the many people who endured the long wait during the Sputnik V launch or during the Pfizer launch in Parañaque, how uncomfortable was the entire experience to you?

What do you think that the City Government of Parañaque should immediately do to make sure its citizens get vaccinated with the convenience and comfort in mind?

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

+++++

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: Almost 700 Muntinlupa City residents vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech on first day of availability

COVID-19 Crisis: Almost 700 Muntinlupa City residents vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech on first day of availability

carlocarrasco

Almost seven hundred residents in Muntinlupa City were vaccinated for COVID-19 (China Virus) with vaccines of Pfizer-BioNTech on the first day of availability which was May 14. To be more specific, the official count was at 677 residents. Previously the City Government of Muntinlupa announced that their initial supply of the said vaccines would be maxed out by tomorrow (May 18) due to their sensitivity.

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

On the first day of the rollout of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the city, 677 residents belonging to the A3 priority group, or persons with comorbidities, were inoculated.

The initial supply of the vaccine will be used by the city government from May 14 to 18 at its vaccination site at Ayala Malls South Park, the only venue approved by the Department of Health (DOH) due to handling requirements for Pfizer-BioNTech.

Before dilution, the vaccine needs to be stored at a temperature of -80 to -60 degrees Celsius.

After dilution, each vial of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine contains six doses of 0.3 mL each.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the vaccine is administered in two doses three weeks apart and is for people 16 years old and above.

The vaccine needs to be administered “within six hours from the time of dilution.”

Data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of May 14, a total of 29,436 residents have been vaccinated with their first dose.

Of the total, 5,171, or 17.57 percent, were health workers (A1); 5,400, or 18.34 percent, senior citizens (A2); and 18,817, or 63.93 percent, were persons with comorbidities (A3); and 48, or 0.16 percent, were A4, who are overseas Filipino workers sent by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) last May 1 during the Labor Day celebration.

By vaccine brand, 21,598 residents, or 73.37 percent, were given Sinovac Life Sciences’ CoronaVac; 4,182, or 14.21 percent, received AstraZeneca; 2,979 were administered the Sputnik V; and 677 were inoculated with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

In addition, 9,399 residents also received their second dose of the vaccine using CoronaVac. Of the total, 1,772, or 18.85 percent, belonged to A1; 2,534, or 26.96 percent, were A2; 4,664, or 49.62 percent, were A3; and three, or 0.03 percent, were A4; and the remaining 426, or 4.53 percent, were administered at a hospital.

In total, 38,835 first and second doses have been administered in Muntinlupa.

As revealed in the above details, Muntinlupa’s local vaccination program continues to get more residents vaccinated while also doing the difficult task of managing the supplies of vaccines, some of which are really delicate and require special handling.

To all residents of Muntinlupa reading this…you are all encouraged to register in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac. Only those who got registered will be notified via email and text message. As such, you must monitor your mobile phone’s text messages as well as your email. Be patient as the vaccination program organizers work to sort out who registered and categorize them.

+++++

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: Almost 30,000 Muntinlupa residents vaccinated with first dose, initial Sputnik V vaccines ran out

COVID-19 Crisis: Almost 30,000 Muntinlupa residents vaccinated with first dose, initial Sputnik V vaccines ran out

carlocarrasco

Is anyone among you a resident of Muntinlupa City and you have not registered to get vaccinated for COVID-19? If you are a local resident and if you are willing to get vaccinated, I recommend you register yourself online now. Don’t get overwhelmed with the news about the lack of COVID-19 vaccines in our country. Just get registered now and wait to get contacted. I did my part and got vaccinated with my first dose (and the local organizing was done efficiently and smoothly here in Alabang).

And now we can proceed with the latest developments as reported by the Manila Bulletin!

Firstly, almost 30,000 residents of Muntinlupa got vaccinated. Specifically, the official count was at 28,005 citizens who got injected with the first dose as of May 10, 2021. If you include the residents who got injected with their second dose, the dose count (as opposed to vaccinated people counted) is at more than 34,000 in the city. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in bold…

The Muntinlupa City government has vaccinated 28,005 residents with the first dose against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of May 10, there were also 6,301 residents who have received their second dose.

The Muntinlupa City government is using Sinovac Life Science’s CoronaVac, AstraZeneca, and Gamaleya Research Institute’s Sputnik V vaccines for its residents.

Of the 28,005 who were inoculated with the first dose, 5,141 are health care workers (A1), 5,400 are senior citizens (A2), 17,416 are persons with comorbidities (A3) and 48 are other frontline workers (A4).

By vaccine, 21,466, or 77 percent, were given CoronaVac; 4,182, or 15 percent, AstraZeneca; and 2,357, or 8 percent, Sputnik V.

Muntinlupa is one of the five recipients of the first delivery of 15,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine that arrived in the country on May 1.

Lorelie Bajeta, a Muntinlupa resident, was administered with Sputnik V for the first dose and she said she did not feel any side effects.

“Wala naman (nothing),” she said.

Of the 6,301 who received the second dose, 1,638 were health care workers (A1), 825 were senior citizens (A2), 3,409 were persons with comorbidities (A3), three other frontline workers (A4) and 426 were hospital workers. All of them were given CoronaVac for the second dose. In total, 34,306 doses were administered for the first and second doses in Muntinlupa.

Muntinlupa has four major vaccination hubs at SM Center Muntinlupa in Brgy. Tunasan, Brgy. Sucat covered court, Filinvest Alabang steel parking area and Ayala Malls South Park.

And another important news regarding Muntinlupa is that the initial supply of Sputnik V vaccine in the city has officially been used up. For transparency, here are specific excerpts from another Manila Bulletin report…

Excerpt 1

The Muntinlupa City government has used up all the 3,000 doses of Sputnik V Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines donated by the national government and received new supply of other brands.

Excerpt 2

The City Health Office (CHO) finished inoculating residents from priority groups with Sputnik V on May 11 as supplies of the vaccine ran out, the Public Information Office (PIO) said.

According to the CHO, 2,979 residents were vaccinated with Sputnik V on May 11.

Previously, I published a press release about the launch of Sputnik V vaccination in Muntinlupa. It took less than a week for the initial Sputnik V vaccines to run out. More COVID-19 vaccines are coming into the Philippines and that will include an additional 2,000,000 doses of Sputnik V this month.

Once again, to Muntinlupa City residents reading this, I encourage you get registered online to avail of the free COVID-19 vaccines locally. It will take the local authorities some time to sort out all those who registered, but rest assured you will get contacted by email and by text message. Do it now at https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

For the readers from nearby Las Piñas City who wish to know more about their local COVID-19 vaccine registration program, I encourage you to read my article (filled with updated references) now.

+++++

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 ends roll-out of Sputnik V, receives more COVID-19 vaccines from national government

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City ends roll-out of Sputnik V, receives more COVID-19 vaccines from national government

carlocarrasco

While the City Government of Muntinlupa maxed out its supply of Sputnik V, one week after the city received the Russia-made vaccines, it has received an additional supply of 48,000 vials of COVID-19 vaccines from the national government.

Muntinlupa Public Information Office said that the City Health Office (CHO) has finished inoculating residents from priority groups with Sputnik V last May 11 as supplies were already utilized.

According to CHO, there are 2,979 who were inoculated with Sputnik V as of May 11. In total, there are 28,635 city residents who were inoculated with their first dose in the city, of which 21,474 received Sinovac, 4,182 inoculated with AstraZeneca, and 2,979 were vaccinated with Sputnik V.

Last May 5, a ceremonial roll-out of Sputnik V Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines was launched at Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) Field Tent and Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) for healthcare frontliners, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities.

Further, the national government delivered an additional 16,800 vials of AstraZeneca and 31,200 vials of Sinovac to Muntinlupa City Health Office on May 11.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi thanked the national government for the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines to Muntinlupa and said it will boost the local vaccination program as more residents line up to receive their jab.

Fresnedi said the City Government eyes to open more major vaccination centers in the city in addition to other community vaccination sites. The major vaccination hubs in Muntinlupa are located in Brgy. Sucat Covered Court, Filinvest Alabang Steel Parking, SM Center Muntinlupa Open Parking Area, Brgy. Tunasan, and Ayala Malls South Park, Brgy. Alabang.

The local exec also assured the public of the City Government’s preparedness for the cold-chain management of the anticipated arrival of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. Muntinlupa expects to receive 7,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines.

Upon delivery, Pfizer vaccines are set to be directly stored in the City Government’s partner storage facility, Royal Cargo Logistics in Barangay Cupang. Due to the sensitive cold-chain management requirement of Pfizer vaccines, it will be initially administered in Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines need to be stored at a temperature of -70 to -80 degrees Celsius. Last May 10, the country received 193,050 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine through the World Health Organization (WHO)-led COVAX Facility.

As of May 11, Muntinlupa City has 12,039 confirmed cases with 10,589 recoveries, 1,136 active cases, 314 reported deaths, 76 suspect cases, and 915 probable cases.  While the case doubling time is at 31.07 days while recovery rate is at 87.72% as of May 10. Doubling time refers to the number of days for local coronavirus cases to double in number. The standard rate of transmission should be at 7-30 days to be considered decelerating.

+++++

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: GMA News video shows patients frustrated during the launch of Sputnik V in Parañaque

COVID-19 Crisis: GMA News video shows patients frustrated during the launch of Sputnik V in Parañaque

carlocarrasco

To all the readers based in Parañaque City…were you able to avail of the free COVID-19 vaccine in your city lately? If you were vaccinated successfully, what type of vaccine was used on you? How long did you wait in line?

The reason why I’m asking this is because GMA Network published news videos that showed some people who waited long in line only to end up not getting vaccinated at a mall in the city the same day Sputnik V debuted there.

Before exploring the GMA News video, let’s put things in perspective that the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) published on May 5, 2021 a press release by the National Task Force against COVID-19 that stated that Parañaque City displayed logistical readiness related to the rollout of Sputnik V vaccines. It should be noted that vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. attended the Sputnik V launch in the said city.

To be clear, here are two excerpts from the PIA-published press release…

Excerpt 1

This city demonstrated its capability to efficiently receive and handle the administration of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines during a trial run held here on Tuesday, May 4, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez cited the unique characteristics of the Sputnik V vaccines, as he assured the national government and his people that the city is capable of handling the vaccines.

“Ito pong Sputnik V, special po ang logistics nito, kasi kailangan po natin dito at least negative 18 degrees centigrade ang storage. Ang City of Parañaque, through our City Health Office ay prepared na prepared sa paghandle nitong Sputnik V,” Olivarez said.

Excerpt 2

For his part, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., chief Implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 and vaccine czar thanked the City of Parañaque for agreeing to be one of the host cities for the pilot rollout of the Sputnik V vaccines.

“Through this pilot test we are conducting today, we will be able to see and address possible challenges that may arise before we begin to roll out the 485,000 Sputnik V doses that are expected to arrive this week,” Galvez said.

By reading the entire press release at PIA’s website, you would end up believing that things went well in Parañaque City and the launch of Sputnik V. What was completely missing in the press release were long lines and frustration (for those who waited so long and ended up empty handed) at the same venue on the same day as the Sputnik V rollout in Parañaque. Watch GMA Network’s news video below titled “Tempers flare at Parañaque COVID-19 vaccination site as not everyone receives jabs”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about GMA Network’s news video on Parañaque and its Sputnik V launch? Are the organizers in Parañaque taking proper care of its citizens who are trying to get vaccinated for COVID-19? Is the City Government of Parañaque relying on media gimmicks (examples: fancy speeches, lots of show-off photography, etc.) while trying to serve as many citizens to the best of its abilities? Whether you got vaccinated or not, how many hours did you spend waiting in line in your city? How many vaccination sites are available in Parañaque right now that you know? Do you believe that Parañaque can achieve its goal of vaccinating 5,000 people per day?

Are you one of the frustrated people who appeared in GMA’s news video who waited so long in line only to end up without getting vaccinated?

Were the vaccine program organizers of Parañaque City transparent and took good care of you when you lined up?

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

+++++

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 officially starts vaccinating its residents with Sputnik V, MMDA lauds strong public-private partnership

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City officially starts vaccinating its residents with Sputnik V, MMDA lauds strong public-private partnership

carlocarrasco

The City Government of Muntinlupa officially launched the ceremonial roll-out of Sputnik V Gam-COVID-Vac vaccines for senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, and other frontline workers from specific groups yesterday morning.

The ceremonial roll-out was held at Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) Field Tent and Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) Tower 2 Rotunda Parking Space. At least 250 members of A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) priority groups were set to receive their first dose of Sputnik V at OsMun, while 130 individuals from A2 and A3 priority groups were prepared for inoculation at AHMC.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (right most), MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos (2nd from the right), Congressman Ruffy Biazon (3rd from the right) and other officials witness a patient get vaccinated with Sputnik V. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Only the pre-registered residents in the local COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System will be inoculated with Sputnik V in OsMun and AHMC. Residents will receive a message from the local health office for their schedule and no walk-ins will be accommodated in the vaccination areas in OsMun and AHMC. Muntinlupa residents are encouraged to register themselves for vaccination via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac.

MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos lauded the City Government’s preparedness as well as its strong partnership with the private sector for the local vaccination program. Abalos recognized the role of Muntinlupa’s partnership with AHMC in encouraging more people to get inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines.

Special Envoy to the Russian Federation Olivia Limpe-Aw said Muntinlupa met the stringent storage and handling requirements to be selected as one of the pilot sites for the roll-out of Sputnik V.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi expresses his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for the allocation of Sputnik V to Muntinlupa and being selected as one of the few Metro Manila cities to be the pilot sites for the roll-out of the Russia-made vaccine.

“This ceremonial roll-out signifies a step closer in returning to our normal lives. We are grateful to the national government for donating additional vaccines to our city as this will help reach our target of achieving herd immunity as soon as possible. I encourage all Muntinlupeños to avail the vaccination program of the government because this is a vital step in curbing the pandemic,” says Fresnedi.

Other officials attending the ceremony include Congressman Ruffy Biazon, WHO Representative Dr. Rowena Capistrano, MMDA Public Affairs Dir. Sharon Gentillan, Ospital ng Muntinlupa director Dr. Edwin Dimatatac, AHMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jose M. Acuin, CHO chief Dr. Juancho Bunyi, Muntinlupa City Council Committee on Health and Sanitation Coun. Allan Camilon, Coun. Ryan Bagatsing, and other local officials.

Muntinlupa received three thousand doses of Sputnik V on May 3 and are being stored in OsMun and AHMC’s -18 degrees Celsius temperature storage facilities. With the cold-chain management requirement of the vaccine, members of priority group in the city will be inoculated in OsMun and Asian Hospital. The vaccine is to be administered in two doses 3 weeks apart.

This past May 1, fifteen thousand doses of Sputnik V were delivered to the country by a Qatar Airways flight from Moscow via Doha. The initial doses will be divided among five cities in Metro Manila: Taguig, Manila, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Makati.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Sputnik V vaccine manufactured by Russian medical-research institute Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology last March 19, 2021.

Recently, the City Government opened its fourth major vaccination hub in Brgy. Sucat Covered Court last May 4. Other major vaccination hubs launched in the city include: Filinvest Alabang Steel Parking last April 30, SM Center Muntinlupa Open Parking Area, Brgy. Tunasan last April 27 and Ayala Malls South Park, Brgy. Alabang last April 24.

As of May 1, a total of 24,163 Muntinlupa residents were inoculated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, of which 19,991 received Sinovac and 4,172 inoculated with AstraZeneca. While 843 residents from priority groups received their second dose.

Muntinlupa City has 11,513 confirmed cases with 9,924 recoveries, 1,288 active cases, 299 reported deaths, 169 suspect cases, and 980 probable cases as of May 4.

+++++

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 to receive 3,000 doses of Sputnik V, Fresnedi thanks national government for the supply

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City to receive 3,000 doses of Sputnik V, Fresnedi thanks national government for the supply

carlocarrasco

Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi expresses his thanks to the National Task Force Against COVID-19 for allocating some of the county’s initial supply of Sputnik V to Muntinlupa and selecting the city as one of the pilot sites for the roll-out of the Russia-made vaccines.

“We are grateful to the national government for donating COVID-19 vaccines to Muntinlupa and the additional supply will help our ongoing vaccination program. As more vaccines arrive in the city, more residents can be inoculated to reach the target herd immunity,” Fresnedi said.

Muntinlupa expects to receive the 3,000 doses which will be stored in -18 degrees Celsius temperature storage facilities of Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

With the cold-chain management requirement of the vaccine, members of priority group in the city will be inoculated in OsMun and Asian Hospital. The vaccine is to be administered in two doses 3 weeks apart.

On Saturday, 15,000 doses of Sputnik V were delivered to the country by a Qatar Airways flight from Moscow via Doha. The initial doses will be divided among five cities in Metro Manila: Taguig, Manila, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Makati.

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 says the next batch of 485,000 Sputnik V doses are expected to be delivered in the country within May.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Sputnik V vaccine manufactured by Russian medical-research institute Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology last March 19, 2021.

Further, the City Government of Muntinlupa is set to open its fourth major vaccination hub in Brgy. Sucat Covered Court today, in addition to existing community vaccination centers.

Other major vaccination hubs launched in the city include: Filinvest Alabang Steel Parking last April 30, SM Center Muntinlupa Open Parking Area, Brgy. Tunasan last April 27 and Ayala Malls South Park, Brgy. Alabang last April 24.

City residents who are not yet registered in the city’s COVID-19 Vaccination Registration System can sign-up via www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac.

As of May 1, a total of 24,163 Muntinlupa residents were inoculated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, of which 19,991 received Sinovac and 4,172 inoculated with AstraZeneca. While 843 residents from priority groups received their second dose.

Muntinlupa City has 11,236 confirmed cases with 9,692 recoveries, 1,245 active cases, 299 reported deaths, 172 suspect cases, and 999 probable cases as of May 2.

+++++

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 and Parañaque to receive Russian vaccines

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa and Parañaque to receive Russian vaccines

carlocarrasco

It has been reported by GMA News that the initial batch of COVID-19 (China Virus) vaccines from Russia called Sputnik V has finally arrived and the South Metro Manila cities of Muntinlupa and Parañaque are among the five National Capital Region (NCR) to receive them. To be clear, the said vaccines are only 15,000 doses and the five NCR cities will get an equal share of three thousand doses each.

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

In an interview on “Dobol B TV,” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the five cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) were chosen because they have “appropriate” cold storage facility for the Sputnik V  vaccine.

She said the five cities are Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Manila, and Parañaque, which will get 3,000 doses each of the vaccine.

“Mayroon silang (five chosen cities) cold-chain ready facility na mag fit (that is desirable),” said Cabotaje, adding that  Sputnik V needs to be stored in a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius.

Also, Cabotaje said simulations for the vaccines will be conducted by the Parañaque City government in partnership with the private sector.

Further, she said the Makati City LGU has partnered with Makati Medical Center to deploy the vaccines.

On the other hand, Cabotaje noted that Sputnik V can be administered to Filipinos ages 18 and above. She said there were no side effects reported from other countries, so far.

Sputnik V’s second dose must be given 21 days after the first shot was injected, Cabotaje added.

Asked when the remaining 485,000 Sputnik V doses will arrive, Cabotaje said: “It will depend on the vaccine availability and shipping logistics.”  The national government earlier said that it expects the remaining batches of Sputnik V to be delivered this May.

Moreover, Cabotaje said the ordered doses would be sent in batches to allow Russia to study the country’s vaccine deployment process.

“They sent small doses first because they want to know how we administer their vaccines so that the drugs won’t be wasted,” Cabotaje said in Filipino.

On Saturday, the plane carrying the trial-order doses of Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute vaccine landed in Manila. Its arrival was delayed twice due to logistical concerns.

Meanwhile, Sputnik V’s importation has recently been flagged by a Brazilian health regulator’s technical staff over “critical issues” on its efficacy rate and safety.

But earlier, the Philippine FDA said Sputnik V has a 91% efficacy rate.

Those are very interesting details. The Russian vaccine had a high efficacy rate from the local Food and Drug Administration although the regulators of Brazil rejected it resulting a potential lawsuit. Brazil’s regulators defended their decision. The report published by Science Magazine states: A confusing and unusually nasty fight broke out this week over the safety of a Russian COVID-19 vaccine known as Sputnik V after a Brazilian health agency declined on Monday to authorize its import because of quality and safety concerns. The stakes escalated yesterday when the Twitter account officially associated with the vaccine said “Sputnik V is undertaking a legal defamation proceeding” against Brazil’s regulators.

In an online press conference several hours later, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) defended its decision, maintaining that documentation from some of the Russian facilities making Sputnik V shows that one of its two doses contains adenoviruses capable of replication, a potential danger to vaccine recipients. The vaccine uses two different adenoviruses, which cause the common cold, to deliver the gene for the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVD-19. Both are supposed to be stripped of a key gene that allows them to replicate.

The Monday announcement left many scientists and media outlets believing Anvisa had directly tested Sputnik V for replicating adenoviruses, which would be unusual for a regulatory agency. But Anvisa has since clarified—it had not and was relying on information provided by the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, the Moscow-based developer of the vaccine.

For more information, I encourage you to read the article in full. Lots of really technical information to read and understand.

In closing this, let me ask you readers from Muntinlupa and Parañaque…if you have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 yet, are you willing to get injected with Sputnik V vaccine when your turn happens? Why?

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

+++++

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