Quezon City targets herd immunity vs COVID-19 in six months

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City is targeting to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 in six to eight months once the local government starts the vaccination program, Mayor Joy Belmonte said yesterday.

Belmonte also announced that fewer residents remain undecided on getting vaccinated.

Belmonte said the city government has been conducting an awareness campaign to convince the undecided residents to get vaccinated against the viral disease.

“We can say we can be safe from the virus when herd immunity has been achieved,” she said.

The local government aims to inoculate up to 80 percent of the city’s population.

According to a survey conducted last month, most of the residents remained undecided on receiving the vaccines due to safety and efficacy issues.

As of yesterday, Belmonte said more residents are now willing to get vaccinated.

Based on city hall records, 37,899 out of 74,793 residents who answered the survey said they were willing to be vaccinated, 10,819 refused while 26,725 remained undecided.

According to Belmonte, strict implementation of health protocols would be instrumental during the rollout of the vaccines this month.

Quezon City has inked a tripartite agreement with the national government and British drugmaker AstraZeneca for the delivery of 1.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.