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Tag: Vaccination

Philippine Red Cross personnel taking the Saliva RT-PCR Test

As the National and Local Elections 2022 are concluded, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), under the leadership of its Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon, reminded the public to get vaccinated and observe COVID-related symptoms.

To assist the government with its vaccination efforts, the PRC also deployed its 20 Bakuna Buses to different communities across the country. Each is designed with a spacious interior for vaccination, storage of supplies, and patients’ waiting area.  The PRC also continues to offer one of the most affordable reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, including the cheaper and less invasive saliva-based test administered only by the organization’s 14 molecular laboratories.

“Muli kong hinihikayat ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan na hindi pa nababakunahan na magparehistro o mag-walk in lamang sa Red Cross upang kayo’y mabigyan ng vaccination schedule at maprotektahan laban sa kumakalat na virus. Nariyan pa rin ang ating abot-kayang RT-PCR test at mga Bakuna Buses na lumilibot sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa upang magbigay serbisyo. Sama-sama tayo laban sa COVID-19,” Chairman Dick Gordon said. 

Aside from offering these services, the PRC encourages the public, particularly the elderly and immunocompromised patients, to observe the minimum public health standards, which include immediate isolation if COVID-related symptoms are experienced. This is in response to the Department of Health’s latest National COVID-19 Case Bulletin last May 9, 2022, which reports over 1,000 COVID-19 new cases, 14 of which are severe and critical.

“Nariyan pa rin ang banta ng COVID-19 sa ating paligid, kaya nais nating paalalahanan ang publiko na sundin palagi ang itinakdang guidelines ng ating gobyerno. Red Cross is always ready to help, particularly in administering COVID-19 vaccine, RT-PCR test, and other humanitarian services.” Chairman Gordon added.

To date, the PRC has administered 1,169,428 vaccination doses and tested patients using either the swab or saliva method. 

Diabetes patient Nicanor Viray, 85 years old, gets his Covid-19 second booster shot at the Philippine Red Cross.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) started administering second booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines today, April 27, 2022, in Mandaluyong City, to the elderly and the immunocompromised. The Philippines’ Department of Health announced last April 13, 2022 that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the administration of Covid-19 second booster shots to the elderly, the immunocompromised, and frontline health workers.

PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Richard “Dick” J. Gordon, advised the immunocompromised who are fully vaccinated and have the first booster shot to get the second booster shot if the required time interval has lapsed. “Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na immunocompromised na fully vaccinated at may first booster shot na kumuha ng second booster shot sa akmang panahon,” Chairman Gordon said.

The spouses Ninfa and Nicanor Viray, who are both elderly and immunocompromised, had their second booster shots at the PRC today.  Ms. Viray, 84 years old, is a cancer patient who just had a mastectomy. Mr. Viray, 85 years old, is a diabetes patient. They both had their first booster in December 2021. The second booster shot against Covid-19 is given at

least four months after the first booster shot, but the interval could be earlier for other patients if prescribed by a doctor.  

“That we’ll be more protected from more severe symptoms owing to our age. We’d like to be as protected as possible, considering that sometimes we are also compelled to go out of the house to buy some basic needs,” was Ms. Viray’s answer when asked what she hoped the second booster shot would do. She added that getting the second booster shot is part of their taking care of themselves, because their decisions about their health affect the rest of the family.

When asked how they would encourage other members of the elderly population to get vaccinated, Ms. Viray says she would show them how she and her husband have relative capacity to still enjoy life, because they can be mobile and interact with people with confidence despite their advanced years. Mr. Viray shares that his style is personal; he talks to his friends about the benefits of getting vaccinated.

Ms. Viray says they try to observe all the health protocols as much as possible, because they don’t want to abuse the new lease on life they are enjoying because of the protection that the vaccines give. Mr. Viray attests that since he got vaccinated, he has felt more assured that he is protected.  The couple is keen on doing their share in educating the community about the collective nature and solution to the Covid-19 public health emergency.    

The PRC’s vaccination efforts are part of its mandate as auxiliary to the government in its humanitarian tasks. The PRC started administering Covid-19 vaccines in March 2021. To date, it has administered 1,153,200 doses of Covid-19 vaccines and boosters through its Bakuna Centers, Bakuna Teams, and Bakuna Buses nationwide. It has fully vaccinated 367,985 individuals.

Philippine Red Cross deploys 20th Bakuna Bus

Philippine Red Cross Bakuna Bus

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) now has 20 Bakuna buses, the latest of which is currently deployed in Pangasinan and is supported by the Coca-Cola Foundation.

The PRC Bakuna Bus is a bus whose interior is set up with facilities for administering vaccines, Covid-19 vaccines and supplies, and space for vaccinators. It is PRC’s way of bringing the vaccines and information to the people, assuaging their hesitations to get vaccinated.

“Patuloy ang ating laban sa Covid-19 sa pamamagitan ng bakuna at RT-PCR tests. Hindi titigil ang Red Cross na gawin ang dapat gawin upang marating ang herd immunity,” the PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said.

Also dubbed “Health on Wheels,” the Bakuna Bus will provide a mobile Covid-19 vaccination capability in Pangasinan, initially to the fourth district, specifically to the municipalities of San Fabian, Mangaldan, San Jacinto, and Rosales.

Philippine Red Cross Bakuna Bus Operations

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with local governments, has administered more than 20,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters in Negros Occidental from 2021 to 2022, fully vaccinating 9,421 persons as of April 3, 2022. This milestone comes at a time when the province has fully lifted mass gathering restrictions in Sagay City, La Carlota City, and E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan, and San Enrique towns.

Last April 1, 2022, Negros Occidental Governor Bong Lacson issued an executive order placing Sagay City, La Carlota City, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan, and San Enrique under Alert Level 1. Under Alert Level 1, business establishments and outdoor activities are allowed 100% capacity, subject to the local government’s guidelines. The rest of the province remains under Alert Level 2.

“Patuloy na tutulong ang Philippine Red Cross sa ating gobyerno para labanan ang COVID-19,” PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said.

As it eases Covid-19 restrictions as of April 1, the Philippines has been opened to all nationalities of foreign tourists from all countries as long as they are fully vaccinated.

Philippine Red Cross Covid-19 Vaccination

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with local governments, has administered more than 30,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters in Bohol from 2021 to 2022. It has fully vaccinated 5,501 persons as of March 28, 2022.

The vaccinations are part of the PRC’s COVID-19 response throughout the country. As of March 28, 2022, PRC has administered 1,115,101 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. It has fully vaccinated 361,790 persons. Other PRC vaccination sites in Visayas include Negros Occidental-Bacolod City, Capiz. Aklan, Bogo, and Roxas City.

The Department of Health reports on its website Dashboard that 63,992,620 complete doses have been administered in the whole country as of March 9, 2022. The figure represents 59% of the total population of the Philippines of 109,035,343 as of May 1, 2020. 

“Ang Philippine Red Cross ay hindi tumitigil na labanan ang COVID-19,” PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said.

dick gordon looks on as a patient is vaccinated at the PRC Bakuna Bus

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon urged the public to get tested regularly for early detection to prevent transmission and to also get vaccinated or receive booster shots for added protection. Gordon also said that PRC is prepared for any possibility of a surge since there are PRC Molecular Laboratories, Bakuna Centers, Bakuna Buses, Isolation Facilities, and Emergency Field Hospitals available 24/7.

“Tumataas ang kaso ng COVID-19 cases sa ibang bansa, we must be ready for any possible surge. We must prevent it through practicing health and safety protocols, social distancing, sanitizing your hands, getting vaccinated, and being tested regularly for early protection,” Gordon said.

Through PRC’s 14 molecular laboratories, anyone can get tested and avail of the cheapest RT-PCR test in the country priced at only P1,500 for the saliva RT-PCR test and just P2,800 for the swab RT-PCR test. The saliva and swab RT-PCR tests are considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing.

PRC also continues to deploy its Bakuna Buses to remote areas and has a continuous operations program for their Bakuna Centers to inoculate unvaccinated individuals and provide additional protection through booster shots. To date, PRC has already conducted 5,515,453 tests and administered 1,104,478 doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

PRC has also turned unused classrooms into isolation facilities to accommodate asymptomatic spreaders. There are also PRC emergency field hospitals to serve as extension wards for other hospitals to accommodate any overflow of COVID-19 patients. The initiative of the Red Cross was started last April 2021, to provide assistance to the overwhelmed healthcare system in the country due to the increasing number of COVID-19 positive individuals at that time. Since then, PRC has cared for 5,176 individuals in the isolation facilities and 65,856 individuals in the emergency field hospitals and medical tents.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) partners with Upsilon Sigma Phi to conduct a vaccination program to 300 UP Manila Students, in preparation for the opening of face to face classes on November 27, 2021, from 8 AM – 5 PM

Upsilon Sigma Phi is the oldest Greek-letter fraternity and is the oldest student organization of the University of the Philippines, founded in 1918. 

In line with the fraternity’s imperative of service, Upsilon Sigma Phi together with the Philippine Red Cross and UP Manila Office of Student affairs will vaccinate students to create awareness of the importance of vaccination and promote a safe return of face-to-face classes in the University. 

PRC Chairman and CEO Sen Dick Gordon is also an Alumnus of Upsilon Sigma Phi, agreed to partner to hasten PRC’s COVID-19 response and vaccinates the students of UP Manila. 

“I am very glad for this initiative by Upsilon Sigma Phi to promote a safe return of face-to-face classes in UP Manila.  We must ensure that the University is a haven for students,”  Sen Dick Gordon said.

PRC, through the initiative of Sen. Dick Gordon, continues to fight COVID-19 through the implementation of PRCs responses such as Isolation facilities, Molecular Lab Testing, Emergency Field Hospital, Hot Meals Distribution, among others which aim to alleviate human suffering and uplift the dignity of the people.

“With a fleet of 17 Bakuna Buses, we were able to vaccinate 2,509 individuals yesterday. It is a joint effort by the Red Cross, the local government unit, and our donors for the Bakuna Bus to hasten our COVID-19 response and protect our fellow Filipinos from COVID-19, ” Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Sen Dick Gordon said.

PRC continues the Bakuna Bus deployment and assists the different local governments in its vaccination program. The Bakuna Bus vaccinated 2,509 individuals in Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Laguna, Batangas, and Bogo City on November 25, 20211.

To date, PRC has already vaccinated 576, 557 through the 17 Bakuna Buses and 25 Bakuna Centers. This is part of Sen Gordon’s initiative to speed up the vaccination. 

Sen. Dick Gordon reiterates that everyone should still observe health protocols despite the lowering of cases. PRC continues its Covid-19 initiatives such as Isolation facilities, Emergency Medical Tents, and COVID-19 testing.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) partners with Laguna Police Provincial Office to launch its COVID-19 vaccination program for persons deprived of liberty (PDL). PRC started to roll out its Bakuna Bus to begin the first day of vaccination and vaccinated 540 individuals in Binan City Police Station and 25 in San Pablo City police station on November 24, 2021.

PRC Laguna Chapter, headed by its Chapter Administrator Frank Gray Sorromero, targets the vaccination of PDLs in 24 Municipalities and 6 Cities in Laguna from November 24, 2021, to December 03, 2021.

“Tayo ay walang pinipili. Dapat masigurado natin na lahat ay protektado kontra COVID-19 at walang maiiwan ngayong pandemya,” PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon said.

The Bakuna Bus will head to Santa Cruz and Pila Municipal Police Station on November 25, 2021, to continue its vaccination for persons deprived of liberty. PRC Laguna Chapter thanks Laguna Police Provincial Office Acting Provincial Director PCOL Rogarth Bulalacao Campo for the partnership in vaccinating the most vulnerable groups.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) deployed its Bakuna Bus to Negros Occidental and vaccinated 303 individuals belonging to the A3-A4 priority group last November 21, 2021.

PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Dick Gordon ordered the deployment of the Bakuna Bus in support of the different local government units (LGU) nationwide to protect the residents from COVID-19. 

“Kailangan mabilis tayo sa pag aksyon lalo na papalapit na ang pasko. Hatid ng Philippine Red Cross ay isang ligtas na pasko sa pamamagitan ng pagbabakuna. Kaya patuloy ang Philippine Red Cross sa pagbabakuna gamit ang 17 Bakuna Buses at 25 Bakuna Centers nationwide,” Sen. Dick Gordon said.

PRC Negros Occidental Chapter continuously supports the LGU in its back-to-back vaccination roll-out at Gaisano City Mall and Brgy 14, Victorias City.  PRC Silay City Branch also conducted a handwashing demonstration and hot meals distribution to 100 children at Purok Sawmill, Brgy Mambulak, Silay City, to intensify PRC’s fight against COVID-19.

Philippine Red Cross

Born officially in 1947, but with roots that traces back to the revolutionary days, the Philippine Red Cross has truly become the premier humanitarian organization in the country, committed to provide quality life-saving services that protect the life and dignity especially of indigent Filipinos in vulnerable situations.

Address: 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550
Emergency Hotline: 143
Trunkline +63 2 8790 2300
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