Drive-thru vaccination in LGUs proposed
THE Department of Health (DOH) has been urged to allow drive-thru vaccination through local government units (LGUs).
Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo said this will help speed up inoculation of Filipinos against the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Deputy Majority Leader made the appeal in a resolution in view of the expected arrival of millions of doses of vaccines in the next two months.
“The much-awaited surge in deliveries should be accompanied by a corresponding surge in vaccine rollout so we can immunize and protect as many Filipinos as possible and as fast as possible. One way is to introduce other vaccination solutions like the setting up drive-thru or drive-in take-up centers,” Castelo said.
The alarming increase in COVID-19 cases, according to Castelo, must be a wake up call for an aggressive vaccination drive once more vaccines are available.
“Having drive-thru vaccination sites will encourage those who are hesitant to go to existing congested inoculation centers due to fear of contracting the virus from other vaccinees or vaccinators. It will also ease overcrowding and the problem of parking in these centers,” she said.
She pointed out that aside from sufficient vaccine supply, the United States has been able to inoculate more than 230 million of its 331-million population by establishing drive-thru vaccination areas in places like huge football stadiums.
“We can do that here, in public parks like the Luneta in Manila or Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, in public buildings like the Quezon City Hall parking building, in large government properties like the National Housing Authority complex near QC City Hall and the Batasan compound,” she added.
In Central Luzon, Castelo said vaccine take-up hubs could be set up at the Subic free port in Subic, Zambales, Clark special economic zone in Angeles City, and Camp John Hay in Baguio City in Northern Luzon.
Castelo suggested that the DOH seek the help of volunteer doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers in the expanded vaccination drive.
“Introducing other solutions like drive-thru hubs, and home and village vaccination is the only way we can ramp up vaccine rollout and protect as many of our people as possible from the virus and Covid-19,” she added.
