Since the start of the pandemic, this premier city in the country has faced its fair share of challenges in combatting COVID-19.
With a total of close to 3 million residents according to a 2015 census, Quezon City also holds the recognition of being Metro Manila’s largest city by land area.
And in the fight against an unseen foe, these two aspects inevitably make it hard for any local government unit to battle the coronavirus. But QC proved that no number is too high and no place too far when it comes to protecting its populace.
In its aggressive, tactical race against the clock to vaccinate its QCitizens, the QC LGU has utilized trailblazing innovations in their #QCProtekTODO campaign to inoculate 1.7 million of its residents.
Through barangay-assisted booking, online booking, drive thru vaccination, homeowners association vaccination, QCProtekTODO bus, and partnerships with private companies, the QC LGU is taking giant steps to realize this goal.
Here are just some of the key measures and methods the QC government utilized to lead the charge in securing the health and lives of its constituents.
Mega Vaccination Site: Araneta Center
With a lofty goal in hand, it’s never wrong to think big. QC partnered with the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to make the iconic venue the city’s first mega vaccination site, setting a new record recently with most number of doses administered in a single vaccination site in QC.
16 Malls
Malls have also been tapped to act as vaccination sites with Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Fairview Terraces, TriNoma, UP Town Center, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Novaliches, SM City Fairview, SM City north EDSA, SM City Novaliches, SM City Sta. Mesa, Eastwood City, Elements at ETON Centris, Ever Commonwealth, Fisher Mall Q. Ave and WalterMart North EDSA serving as the city’s go-to vax sites.
Partnered with Home Owners Association (Additional Vaccination Sites)
To bolster its vaccination efforts, the QC LGU brought its services closer to the households of its residents. Backed by the promise of Mayor Belmonte’s to ensure a fast and efficient vaccination process, COVID-19 vaccine roll-out was seen among designated vaccinations sites in barangays, churches, and homeowners associations.
#QCProtekTODO Bus
Launched by the QC government together with the DILG, and the QC DRRMO, QC Protektodo Bus and Mobile Hospital kickstarted in Barangay Payatas and has been roaming around hard-to-reach areas to vaccinate residents finding it hard to troop to the various vaccination sites. (having difficulty booking online, or unable to troop to various vaccination sites.)
Bakuna Nights
Recognizing that many workers in the city cannot take off work or don’t have time to visit a vaccination site during the day, the Quezon City government has launched a vaccination program that opens at 6 p.m. or after working hours.
Dubbed as ‘QC Bakuna Nights’, the program aims to expand the reach of the city and immunize workers whose only free time is in the evening.
The first round of Bakuna Nights ran for four nights at the City Hall grounds, with about 8,000 workers vaccinated.
Among these are other breakthrough initiatives by the QC government led by its Mayor Joy Belmonte to beef up the city’s close to 40 vax sites so far:
Drive thru Vaccination
Barangay-Assisted Vaccination Sites
Partnership with campuses and schools (UP and Ateneo)
Bedridden vaccination
Partnership with Big government agencies and companies
Dedicated lines for QCitizen members of the LGBTQIA+ in vaccination sites in celebration of Pride Month.