Since 2021, Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) has resolved to do its part by working closely with the government sector in waging a battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. In its efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease by opening its campuses as vaccination centers, OLFU has been partnering with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Health (DOH), the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), and the Local Government Units (LGUs) where the University’s six campuses are located.
It is because of these voluntary initiatives that CHED formally recognized OLFU Valenzuela and Pampanga as Outstanding Higher Education Institutions for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Award on 19 July 2022 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
The certificate of recognition reads, “for their notable contributions to the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program and Deployment Plan and for exemplifying the Bayanihan spirit by forging unity and cooperation among key stakeholders to expedite the vaccination against COVID-19 of their students, personnel, and members of the community.”
At no cost to the government, OLFU procured vaccines; created the OLFU-Fatima University Medical Center (FUMC) vaccination teams; prepared OLFU facilities to be safe vaccination sites; provided trained and licensed staff to man the centers; released information campaigns; facilitated an efficient registration process, and mapped out an efficient vaccination and documentation process. Running a tight ship, OLFU worked out the timely delivery of vaccines, efficient inoculation, and effective training.
Proactively and even before the national roll-out of the vaccination program, OLFU had already procured 5,500 vaccines through Go Negosyo in December 2020. Half of these were donated by OLFU to the government, while the other half were earmarked for OLFU-FUMC frontliners, interns, clerks, and employees.
Beginning March 2021, shortly after the first batch of vaccines arrived in the country, OLFU began opening its campuses as vaccination centers. Coordinating with the Offices of the Mayor and the LGUs’ Health Offices, OLFU transformed its school grounds into havens of hope in the war against COVID-19.
OLFU and its sister institution FUMC jointly mobilized doctors, nurses, pharmacists, IT staff, and safety marshals to support the vaccination program. A total of 147 staff willingly shared their time and skills.
In all and as of July 2022, OLFU has administered 103,134 vaccinations in 495 sessions across the six campuses of OLFU: Valenzuela- 6,590, Quezon City- 1,771, Antipolo- 6,093, Pampanga- 81,716, Nueva Ecija- 3,846, and Laguna- 3,116.
And as year 2022 began, the University championed booster shots and primary inoculation for those 12 years and above, and the vaccination of OLFU’s very own Junior High and Senior High students— the latter being a preemptive move in response to the Department of Education’s announcement then that limited face-to-face classes would soon take place.
Further, OLFU contributed towards the National Vaccination Days held on November 29 to December 01, 2021, by deploying team members to the national program. Also, its webinar campaign, “Resbakuna Para sa Buhay” imparted the positive aspects of vaccination; communicating that the vaccine helps prevent the severe effects of COVID-19.
Joining forces with the government and all its stakeholders, OLFU believes that it can continue to play an important role in beating the pandemic.
