At least 1,200 senior citizens and persons with comorbidities in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan are expected to get their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on May 14 and May 17 to 18 at a local mall.
A statement released during the first day of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program held inside the SM City San Jose Del Monte said such a target was set by the San Jose del Monte City Health Office.
“The city health office is targeting 400 individuals from A1 to A3 priority group to get vaccinated per day with the initial dose of AstraZeneca, but according to Ms. Sionilyn Abargos, one of the nurses administering the vaccine, most of the frontline health workers in the city are done with their shots,” the mall said in a statement.
Among those covered in the A1 category were health workers, while A2 included senior citizens or those aged 60 and above. A3 were people with comorbidities.
“Most of the recipients now are senior citizens and persons with comorbidities,” it added.
The vaccination hosted by the mall started on Friday, May 14, and will continue on May 17 and May 18. The vaccination hours for all three days are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Each recipient of the COVID-19 vaccine has been subjected to screening and consultation before the vaccine was administered.
Those who got inoculated also underwent a 30-minute observation at the post-vaccination area in case of an adverse event.
Emergency response teams from both the local government and the mall are also on standby during the inoculation process.
“SM City San Jose del Monte utilized its spacious hallway on its second level and identified areas for each step of the vaccination process, dispatched additional safety officers and sanitation team to ensure that health and safety protocols are being observed and the process goes on seamless,” the mall statement read.
AstraZeneca has an efficacy rate of 70% after the first dose based on the evaluation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The second dose is administered four to 12 weeks after the first dose. — DVM, GMA News
Source: GMA News