The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 7 urged local government units to consider allowing walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent vaccine wastage.
This is to ensure vaccine administration in case of an eligible recipient’s absence on the date of their inoculation. At least 15 CoronaVac doses and 30 AstraZeneca doses were wasted last April due to their intended recipients’ absence.
DOH-7 vaccination spokesperson Dr. Van Philip Baton said walk-in vaccinations should be given attention “if it is required” or deemed necessary.
“Sa kanilang 100 na naka-schedule, karamihan niyan 50 lamang ang magpapakita. So they will have to consider also walk-ins to accommodate the remaining 50 slots scheduled to be consumed on that day,” Baton said.
Cebu City, however, said allowing walk-ins would be a challenge amid the high vaccine confidence among its constituents. Several vaccination sites were temporarily closed pending vaccine supply delivery.
“Hindi ‘yan maaring ma-apply dito sa Cebu City, ang pag-allow sa mga walk-ins sa ating mga vaccination center. Pwede lamang ‘yan sa mga LGUs na mababa lamang ang turnout sa kanilang mga vaccinees,” Cebu City vaccination board member Dave Tumulak said.
The city’s target to achieve containment is around 700,000 vaccinated individuals. Around 90,000 have been vaccinated in the city from the 230,000 online vaccine registrants. – Report from John Aroa/PTV Cebu/AG- jlo
