FREE JABS. An elderly Manila resident avails of his booster shot at the Emilio Jacinto Elementary School in Tondo, Manila on Monday (Nov. 29, 2021). The country is holding ‘Bayanihan, Bakunahan’ nationwide with the aim to vaccinate at least nine million during a three-day period. (PNA photo by Marita Moaje)
MANILA – In support of the national government’s three-day national vaccination drive that started Monday, the city government of Manila assigned 75 vaccination sites to encourage residents to avail themselves of free coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) jabs.
As of 11 a.m., the first day of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” in Manila has recorded 7,013 vaccinees -- 4,096 for the first dose and 2,917 for the second dose.
Narciso Vizcarra, 62, said he availed of his booster shot after receiving a text message that he is already eligible.
“Gusto ko lang magpa-vaccine para sa (I want to be vaccinated for) protection,” Vizcarra said in an interview shortly after being injected with the AstraZeneca jab at the Emilio Jacinto Elementary School in Tondo.
A number of minors, aged 12 to 17, accompanied by their parents or guardians also came.
“Gusto ko pong magpa-vaccine para sa proteksyon ko at ng family ko (I wanted to be vaccinated for my protection and for my family),” 16-year-old Danny Joyce Dominguez told the Philippine News Agency.
Teresita Pornobi, 68, already with two doses, accompanied her niece and nephew who are 12 and 14 years old, respectively.
She said it was a good decision to come in the morning as they didn’t have to fall in line for hours.
“Tinanong ko sila kung gusto nila kaya maaga kami dito para magpa-vaccine sila (I asked them if they want to get vaccinated and they said yes, so we came early today),” said Pornobi, who is due for a booster shot in January.
The Department of Health requires a six-month gap between theseconddose and the booster or additional shot and three months for the single-dose Janssen jab.
Nelson Menez, 62, had the Sinovac jab for primary doses and chose Pfizer this time for his booster shot.
“Booster na Pfizer, Sinovac noon, para ma-try ko naman ‘yung iba. Okay naman daw eh. Kailangan magpa-booster eh, sabi ng gobyerno. Dapat susunod ka sa gobyerno. Tsaka libre naman, proteksyon ‘to (I got Pfizer for my booster shot. I received Sinovac before. They said it’s okay so I tried. We need to get this booster shot. It’s what the government say. We should follow the government. Anyway, it’s free and it’s for our protection),” Menez said.
He praised the government for being prepared in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and encouraged those who have not received their Covid-19 vaccine yet to avail of the government’s offer.
“’Yung mga ayaw pa, dapat mag isip-isip na magpa-vaccine. Apektado trabaho nyo, apektado pamilya nyo. Milyon na ang nababakunahan. Wala naman masyado side effect. Dapat pabakuna na kayo (Those who have not decided yet, you should decide to receive the vaccine. Your work is affected, your family is affected. Millions have already been vaccinated and there are very few adverse side effects. Just get vaccinated),” he said.
Vaccination of first and second shots for the general population, pediatric vaccinationfor the12 to 17 age group, and booster shots for priority groups(health care workers, elderly, and immunocompromised adults)will be accommodated.
The city government of Manila said registration at the manilacovid19vaccine.ph site is required.
Even non-Manila residents or workers are welcome. (PNA)
Source: Business Diary Philippines
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