The Makati City local government yesterday said it is intensifying its Covid-19 vaccination drive to include members of the city’s Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) and Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association (JODA).
This was being implemented following the surge in Covid cases being tallied in the country.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay said 104 individuals belonging to various transportation groups have been administered the Covid-19 vaccine at three terminals, namely Guadalupe-Buting TODA/JODA, Guadalupe Pateros MACDA and MAYATODA, as of 1 August.
These locations were identified to be more accessible to the city’s pedicab, jeepney, tricycle and taxi drivers, making them ideal as vaccination sites.
Drivers may proceed to these sites until Friday, 5 August, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to get their shots.
Those who will avail of free vaccination should bring their vaccination and ID cards.
The shots are expected to keep the drivers safe from Covid, especially with the detection of the more transmissible Omicron variants, which may cause reinfection and even be resistant from the vaccine.
The Makati Health Department said that as of 2 August, there are now 261 active Covid cases reported, 55,808 recoveries, and 1,028 deaths.
Some 508,717 individuals have received their first jab of the vaccine, while of the 530,318 who have been fully vaccinated, 317,574 individuals have received booster shots.
Mayor Binay said the city government is set to transfer the vaccination sites to barangay health centers, which will serve those who are incapable of traveling to Bakuna Makati sites, such as senior citizens and persons with disabilities.