Makati City health personnel inoculated 28,208 city residents or 98 percent of its target population in line with the city’s flu vaccination program aim to prevent hospitalizations and reduce complications of the coronavirus disease.
“I am happy to announce that we are nearly finished administering flu shots to Makatizens. This vaccination drive is important because we want to boost the immunity of Makatizens, especially the vulnerable group and frontliners,” said Mayor Abigail Binay.
As of December 15, data from the Makati Health Department showed that 18,965 residents, including senior citizens and immuno-compromised individuals, and 9,243 City Hall employees and frontliners had received flu shots since July 6.
The trivalent flu shots cover three influenza strains, namely, influenza A or H1N1, influenza A or H3N2, and influenza B.
Aside from flu shots, 19,068 residents and City Hall employees have also received free vaccination shots against pneumonia.
Binay said the MHD would administer the remaining 1,792 flu shots to Makatizens before the end of December and the remaining 932 pneumonia shots next year.
The city chief executive earlier urged residents who want to avail themselves of the city’s free immunization drive to register at the Proud Makatizen website (www.proudmakatizen.com) to secure a slot.
Aside from the free shots, the local government also conducts house-to-house distribution of free vitamins to senior citizens, and also provides the said benefit to personnel who have been reporting for duty since the enhanced community quarantine.