MANILA – If walk-ins are permitted in all local government units (LGUs), the second round of national vaccination against Covid-19 can accommodate more people.
According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, acting Presidential spokesperson, it’s one of the recommendations for the second “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” drive, which runs from December 15 to 17.
“Siyempre iyong sinasabi namin na mga improvements like accommodating walk-ins. But the process, it’s really up to the LGUs and then kung paano iyong proseso. Ang paki-usap lang namin ay magkaroon ng sistema also for walk-ins (Of course, we’re saying there should be improvements like accommodating walk-ins. But as for the process, it’s really up to the LGUs and then how the process would be done. Our appeal is that there should be a system for walk-ins),” he said in a radio interview on Sunday.
He cited President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive, saying that LGUs are urged to prolong their average 12-hour operation time till people are still queuing for vaccinations.
“Direktiba rin po iyon ng Pangulo. Ang sabi nga niya basta may nakapila pa diyan, nandoon pa sa linya, may nag-aantay pa eh huwag ninyo pong isara ang vaccination sites (That’s the President’s directive. He said that as long as someone is waiting in line, don’t close the vaccination site),” he added.
To accommodate more people, Duterte suggested to keep immunization stations open daily.
LGUs may also want to consider boosting their house-to-house initiatives for senior citizens and people with comorbidities, according to Nograles.
“Several or many of the LGUs ay gumagawa po ng mga house-to-house. Kung lahat po ng LGUs ay magkaroon ng ganiyang klaseng initiative especially para sa mga senior citizen natin at iyong mga, those with comorbidities, mas maganda po iyan (Several or many of the LGUs conduct house-to-house vaccination. If all LGUs do the same initiative especially for senior citizens and those with comorbidities, it would be even better),” he said.
Meanwhile, Nograles reminded the public to refrain from being selective over vaccine brands.
“Kailangan paulit-ulit po nating banggitin at i-remind ang lahat ‘no na wala na dapat iyong brand preference. Kung ano pong mayroon diyan, iyan pong lahat ng mga vaccines po natin ay safe and effective po para sa lahat (We need to repeatedly remind the public that there should be no brand preference. The vaccines we have are all safe and effective for everyone),” he said.
From November 29 to December 1, the first “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” vaccinated 8 million people.
The extension for two more days in some LGUs raised the count to 9.9 million, enabling the government to exceed its target of 9 million.
