July 9, 2021
Tzu Chi Hosts Vaccination at BTCC
By Daniel Lazar
In cooperation with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), the Department of Health and other government agencies, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila welcomed private citizens who registered with FFCCCII for Sinovac vaccination from July 5 to 17.
Foreign nationals who are not included in our local government’s free vaccination program, and other individuals from the A4 or essential workers category who need to be vaccinated in order to return to work were among those who availed of the rollout. Each individual paid a fee of P2,310 for two doses of Sinovac vaccine imported by the FFCCCII from China and will be vaccinated by doctors hired by the federation to ensure the safety of each person enrolled in the program.
FFCCCII entered into a tripartite agreement with the Philippine government to help vaccinate as many people as possible. The government requires every entity that purchased vaccines in their private capacity to donate the same quantity to the Philippine government as a rule for each importation. This implementation also enables the government to provide free vaccinations to the general public. However, those who get the free vaccinations through their LGU cannot have their choice of vaccines, and must take whichever brand is available at the location and time pre-determined by the local government.
On the other hand, those who pay P2,310 to the FFCCCII are aware that they will have the Sinovac vaccine, and know that the venue will be Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila at a pre-designated time.
Forty doctors from MedGrocer – the company that was contracted to provide doctors to administer the vaccines - were all praised for the arrangement. Sixty Tzu Chi volunteers are on hand daily to assist the doctors as well as those who come for the vaccines. Visitors were pleasantly surprised, and some even amazed at the spacious venue and the friendly atmosphere of the campus.
The second dose of Sinovac will also be administered at BTCC beginning on August 2, to complete the vaccination program and hopefully enable everyone to carry on a normal life.