February 17, 2022 — The UP College of Dentistry Vaccine Drive 2022 jabbed 273 persons with COVID-19 vaccine booster shots and first doses last February 5, 2022. 

The University of the Philippines Dentistry Student Council (DSC) organized the vaccination drive in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross – Manila Chapter, as part of the week-long celebration of the UPCD 107th Foundation Week to increase the immune response of the UPM community against COVID-19 and to prepare the students for face-to-face classes in the second semester. 

Vaccine Drive

In this initiative, Philippine Red Cross – Manila Chapter employed their “Bakuna Bus” and a team of volunteers led by UPCD Vaccine Drive project heads Richard Martin and Nina Angela Rocio with Philippine Red Cross Chapter Service Representative Pauline Codon. The vaccine brands available for the booster were AstraZeneca and Moderna, while Janssen was given for the first doses. Among the recipients were UPM students (including family and friends), administrators, faculty, and other constituents totaling 273 vaccinated individuals.

The event was a success because of the effective collaboration among volunteers and partners involved. The skills and knowledge learned by UPCD students in Community Dentistry during their visit at Cavite largely contributed to efficient and satisfactory management of the event. Student-led vaccination drives like the UPCD Vaccine Drive 2022 are manifestations that everyone is working together to move forward. 

The UPCD Vaccine Drive was also made possible through partnership with UPCD Batch 1997, University of the Philippines Dental Alumni Association, UP Manila University Student Council, and the student councils of CPH, CAMP, CM, CN and CP.

Nicole Eunice Alvareza & Therese Flynn Margallo

Photo courtesy of UP Dentistry Student Council