UPLB expands vaccination drive for stranded students, faculty dependents

The University of the Philippines in Los Baños (UPLB) has expanded its vaccination drive for stranded students on the campus and those who live in the municipalities of Los Baños and Bay, Laguna.

The UPLB said the dependents of the school’s faculty and staff who live in the same household will also be included in the vaccination program.

UPLB Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto Cereno said the expansion of the vaccination program is in line with the recently rolled-out national plan to extend vaccination to college students.

Cereno said the university received vaccine donations directly from the Department of Health (DOH) Region IV-A in time to implement the program expansion.

“Nagpapasalamat talaga kami na ang DOH ay nag-provide ng ganitong doses para sa atin. And tamang-tama, kahapon ni-launch yung national vaccination ng students, quickly, in a day naka-respond tayo, and that’s because of the donation, allocation ng DOH ng bakuna natin,” Cereno said in a statement on Thursday.

(We are thankful that DOH provided us with these vaccine doses. It was timely because the national vaccination for students was launched yesterday and we were able to respond immediately.)

The UPLB vice chancellor underscored that the aim of the university was to reach 100% vaccination of all UPLB constituents, their dependents, and students.

Cereno also hoped that in November to December this year, all UPLB constituents and students would be able to get vaccines from their respective local government units.

“This is in time, kung sakaling payagan na tayong mag-open ng [face-to-face] classes ng February 2022,” he added.

(This is in time for the possible opening of face-to-face classes in February 2022). — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News