Vaccination drive hits critical mass in key PH companies

More companies in the Philippines have reached a critical mass of employees in their COVID-19 vaccination programs as they race against time to attain herd immunity amid the resurgence of local cases and the transmission of the more contagious Delta variant.

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) reported it has inoculated over 80 percent of its nationwide workforce, with more than 56,000 employees and extended workers receiving either their first or second doses of COVID-19 jabs.

Using company-procured AstraZeneca vaccines under its “Ligtas Lahat” program, SMC achieved its original goal of vaccinating over 35,300 employees nationwide before the end-August target.

“We’re almost there … We still have a number of employees to vaccinate in various areas, but we anticipate to complete our vaccinations by end of August,” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang.

Convenience store chain operator Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC), the exclusive licensor of 7-Eleven, has likewise rolled out a vaccination drive for its employees and their dependents.

PSC purchased 80,000 AstraZeneca vaccines as part of the Go Negosyo private sector coalition. It has also partnered with AC Health (Ayala Healthcare Holdings) to administer the vaccines in 18 sites nationwide.

“As part of our commitment to serve over 3,000 communities nationwide, we have taken the lead in procuring the vaccines to ensure the health and safety of our employees. Vaccinating our employees also serves to reassure our customers that they are in a safe space when shopping at a 7-Eleven store,” said Jose Victor Paterno, PSC president and chief executive.

After the Luzon leg of its nationwide vaccination program, Gotianun-led EastWest Bank will officially kick off the Visayas leg in Cebu City and other provinces on Aug. 27, Aug. 28 and Aug. 30.

The Filvax program will start at ARC Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, with other vaccination sites set to be launched in other areas in the Visayas.

“The kickoff of Filvax’s Visayas leg in Cebu and the surrounding areas is proof of our commitment to protecting the entire EastWest workforce across the country. Part of this mission is bringing the vaccines to where our people are,” said EastWest director Isabelle Gotianun Yap.

Business process outsourcing operator Telus International Philippines (TIP) is also in the midst of its vaccination program.

“Our goal is to offer access to the vaccine to all our team members across all our sites in Metro Manila and Iloilo. Our vaccine supply is scheduled to arrive in multiple batches, with the first batch being used for our vaccination program which started this July, and the second batch expected to arrive in the Philippines this August. The plan is to inoculate all of our team members who registered for the vaccination program this year,” said Mirei Magallona, TIP country vice president.