CEBU CITY, Cebu, Oct. 3 (PIA) -- Hundreds of eligible vaccinees, including government employees, senior citizens, and individuals who belong to the general population received their COVID-19 booster shots during "Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas in Cebu City,” a one-day massive booster vaccination drive held at DepEd Ecotech, Sudlon, Lahug, this city on Sept. 30.
The activity was conducted by the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH7), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency Region 7 (PIA7).
This activity aimed to support the government's stronger nationwide booster vaccination campaign and help speed up the mobilization of COVID-19 vaccination services for the eligible populations.
It also provided a chance to enlist the aid of government information officers in the advocacy push by conveying to the public the importance of acquiring the COVID-19 vaccine, especially the booster doses.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, during the event, thanked the frontline workers for their valuable contributions in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Here we are about two years after, slowly picking up the pieces and finding ourselves returning towards normalcy. It would appear that we are starting to win the fight against COVID-19 and it is largely in part due to the tremendous efforts of our frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and, of course, the vaccine,” said Garcia.
Meanwhile, DOH Undersecretary of Health, Office of Special Concerns, Dr. Maria Francia Laxamana, in her message, encouraged the local government units and partner agencies to adopt an inter-regional approach in implementing their vaccination campaign.
"I would like to really reiterate that let us not just confine ourselves to our region. Baka pwede na po tayo lumabas sa pagbabakuna natin. Let us do an inter-regional approach in achieving our national target. Hanggang lahat po ng mga Pilipino ay ating mabakunahan," said Laxamana.
The "Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas in Cebu City" was a collaboration between DOH7, PIA7, Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region 7 (AGIO7), and the Cebu City government.
It was also attended by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, PIA7 Regional Head Fayette Riñen, DOH7 Regional Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas, DepEd7 Regional Director Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, and AGIO7 President Russell John Maniwang.
The program was highlighted with a "PinasLakas Ceremonial Vaccination" where Rama and Jimenez received their booster doses.
It capped with the signing of a pledge of commitment by the officials and participants. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)
