By Rod Lagusad
The city government of Manila eyed the inoculation of around 10,500 individuals with comorbidities today, the start of vaccine rollout for the A3 group.
The vaccine rollout was simultaneously done in 12 different schools in the six districts of Manila using CoronaVac, the vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech of China.
The vaccination sites for District 1 are at the Emilio Jacinto Elementary School and Isabelo Delos Reyes Elementary School; Osmena High School and Benitez Elementary School for District 2; and Bonifacio Elementary School and Pedro Guevarra Elementary School for District 3.
For residents of District 4, the site for the vaccine rollout are at Ramon Magsaysay High School and J. Malvar Elementary School; Benigno Aquino Elementary School and Lucban Elementary School for District 5; and, Sta. Ana Elementary School and EARIST High School
for District 6.
Earlier, people who wanted to be vaccinated made long lines outside Ramon Masaysay High School. This prompted Nancy Jasareno, Nurse Supervisor of the District 4, to request City Hall to put up tents outside of the school for them.
Since strict health protocols are being implemented at the vaccination site, “Hindi namin sila pwedeng ipasok dito lahat, so as of now kaya nag-distribute na kami ng pamaypay kahit papaano nakatulong din sa kanila (We cannot allow everybody inside so as of now, we just distributed fans to make it more comfortable for them),” Jasareno shared.
One of the persons with comorbidity who got vaccinated was Gina Napo, 53 years old, who suffered a stroke and has diabetes and hypertension. She admitted that she did not want to be vaccinated at first but she realized later on that it would benefit her and her family.
“Naiisip ko na ano bang pwede kaysa huwag akong magpabakuna, kakabahan ako lagi. So para sa pamilya ko (I was thinking of an alternative but I thought it better to get vaccinated instead of being anxious all the time. So I did this for my family),” Napo
shared
Initially, the vaccine rollout in the city focused on medical frontliners who belong to the top priority group. They were followed by the senior citizens.
Eligible individuals from 18 to 59 years old who want to be vaccinated are advised to register online. Those who are registered are asked to bring the waiver form or QR code for verification at the vaccination site.
Proofs of comorbidity are also required for those who want to get inoculated. They may show any of the following: medical certificate for the past 18 months, prescription of the
maintenance medicine for the past 6 months, hospital records like summary or
medical abstract, and surgical and pathology records.
Meanwhile, the local government of Manila reported 788 new active cases bringing the total number of active COVID-19 cases in the city at 4,472 as of 12 noon of March 31, Wednesday.
