Cebu City needs vaccination site as vaccine rollout begins this week

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City will have to look for another site for its vaccination program after its Vaccine Board disapproved using the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish-Don Bosco Youth Center in Barangay Punta Princesa due to some concerns, including lack of ventilation and lack of facilities.

The board, headed by Vice Mayor Michael Rama, also pointed out that the site is not friendly to persons with disabilities.

“Prior pa man gud sa identification diha sa Punta Princesa, Don Bosco Youth Center, ang Vaccine Board, we already informed them about the venue. Mao to'ng gi-prepare nato, ready na unta tanan, katong other concerns minimal ra kaayo to that we can also address. But, Mike Rama said that di gyud pwede,” Councilor David Tumulak told The Freeman.

A simulation of the vaccination rollout was conducted on Friday, March 19.

“For me, kining mga issues nga gi-raise about ventilation, it can be addressed by putting up some electric fans, and issue bahin sa comfort rooms, we can address that if we need to (have) inoculaton right away,” Tumulak said.

Rama, for his part, said the Department of Health and the Department of Interior and Local Government have shared the Vaccine Board’s observation on the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish-Don Bosco Youth Center.

“So putting all observation altogether, it is but wise that we should get something better than that area,” Rama said, as he thanked the priests for allowing the city to conduct a simulation exercise there.

He said proper ventilation is important, especially for those scheduled for vaccination and those who have just received the vaccine as they will have to stay on site for a while for observation for a possible adverse reaction.

Options

Tumulak said the city are now eyeing at doing the vaccination at malls but the same will also have to go through the City Council as it will require Mayor Edgardo Labella to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the malls.

Several owners have offered their areas but the sites will have to meet certain requirements, including accessibility to traffic, enough space, availability of internet connection, water supply, and accessibility to a hospital, among others, Tumulak said.

Vaccination

Tumulak said they will have to look for another venue fast considering that at least 1,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines intended for barangay health workers (BHWs) have arrived at the City Health Department on Sunday, and will have to be administered within six days.

City Health Department Officer-in-charge Jeffrey Ibones said they hope to administer the vaccines within the week.

Both Tumulak and Dr. Peter Mancao, one of the Deputy Task Force leaders of the city’s vaccination rollout, said there are barangay health workers who are hesitant to be vaccinated.

This even as the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) has promised full support to the city’s vaccination program.

“Motabang gyud mi ana kay para mana sa kaayohan sa tanan,” Ong said.

But in Barangay San Nicolas Proper, for one, Captain Clifford Jude Ninal said many barangay health workers and even tanods have expressed hesitation against the vaccine based on his discussions with fellow captains.

Mancao said the city government should be more aggressive with its information campaign about the vaccine. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol,  JMO  (FREEMAN)