The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), formally launched the “We Vax as One: Mobile Vaccination Drive” at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Monday to further ramp up the government’s vaccination efforts and inoculate unvaccinated residents as well as those who are due for booster shots.

During the event, MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said they are now identifying more locations in the National Capital Region in a bid to accommodate more people to get their Covid-19 vaccination doses and booster shots.

“The mobile vaccination drive at PITX is our pilot site and we plan to expand this to more accessible sites as we go along,” Abalos said. “It is not enough to have two Covid-19 doses; it is important to get booster shots to be fully protected from the virus.”

The mobile vaccination drive, manned by a doctor and 20 nurses, will run for five days, starting Monday until January 28 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon with a target to inoculate 500 individuals per day, whether for first, second, or booster doses.

“We have been deploying our vaccinators not only in Metro Manila but in other places all over the country. We are passionate towards the goal of having everyone fully vaccinated and have booster shots,” Abalos said.

Abalos said it would be accessible for people when vaccination sites are set up at strategic locations.

“We will strategize; what is important here is for people to have their booster shots, that is our objective,” Abalos said.

Towards this goal, DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Service Artemio Tuazon Jr. said they are planning to set up vaccination centers at airports, seaports, train stations, exit points of expressways, among other areas, upon the directive of DOTR Secretary Arthur Tugade.

Meanwhile, Department of Health-National Capital Region Regional Director Dr. Gloria J. Balboa, stressed the importance of getting Covid-19 booster shots.

She said opening more vaccination sites that can accommodate residents from other regions is a good move.

“This would help other local government units to reach their vaccination targets. The more we vaccinate people, the better,” Balboa said. (PNA)