Terminals eyed as additional vax sites

CEBU, Philippines — Metro Cebu’s transport terminals are now being eyed as additional vaccination sites to ramp up government’s vaccination efforts.

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, Department of Health-7 chief pathologist, said that it was agreed that select and strategic terminals be set up to make vaccination more accessible to drivers, their assistants, the riding public, and their families as well.

“For logistics and staffing (of the additional sites), we can plan this out with the LGU (local government units) where the terminals are located. No identified sites but we can request the transport  group to identify,” said Loreche, who is also the spokesperson for the Visayas COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center.

This is the latest development on the government’s vaccination drive following a meeting organized by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, IATF Visayas, DOH-7, Project Balik Buhay, the Land Transportation and Franchising Board-7, the Land Transportation Office as well as transport groups and operators.

Loreche, in a statement released by OPAV yesterday, said that the meeting was called to discuss ways of moving forward in ensuring the safety of the transport groups and passengers.

LTFRB-7 director Eduardo Montealto Jr. told The FREEMAN that they are planning to use the Land Transportation Office-Malasakit Center along Natalio Bacalso Avenue, which is just a walking distance from the Cebu South Bus Terminal, as a vaccination site.

 “Kana lang sa for the meantime. Anyway, ang LTO-Malasakit Center duol ra siya South Bus Terminal,” Montealto said.

Montealto also said that the management of Ceres bus has already agreed to have vaccinations conducted inside their buses.

The LTFRB-7 head added that he expects other bus companies to allow vaccinations inside their buses. Ceres buses account for 70 percent of buses plying various routes in Cebu.

The move of OPAV, IATF Visayas, and DOH 7 to set up vaccination sites at transport terminals aims to increase the accessibility of jabs to the most number of people.

Currently, vaccination sites are located inside shopping malls, schools, and gymnasiums.

Based on the Vaccine Operation Reporting System (VORS) as of January 26, 2022, a total of 5,096,209 vaccine doses have already been administered in the entire Cebu.

Of this number, 2,694,501 are first doses, 2,291,182 second doses, 110,526 booster doses.

Cebu City vaccination

Meanwhile, Cebu City’s vaccination remains busy with close to 200,000 vaccinees noted in the last two months even as Cebuanos have been dealing with the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.

In the last three days this week alone, there were 25,000 doses used — either first, second or booster doses.

There has been, however, a lower number of individuals getting booster shots lately after the Department of Health said Pfizer vaccines shall be given for the pediatric population and those due for second dose only.

City Health Department officer-in-charge Dr. Jeffrey Ibones also anticipates a busier week ahead with the start of the inoculation of the 5 to 11 years old.

The vaccination for the youngest eligible group starts in the National Capital Region on February 4 while other regions are expected to follow after.

Ibones said they will have to finalize the schedule as classes are also resuming next month in Cebu City.

The city is also currently finalizing the vaccination sites for minors. Most likely, they will be added to the 12-17-year-old sites available, though the city is also looking for other areas that are near hospitals.

“Ato lang i-strategize na, usa raman ko sa member sa convergence team. The mayor is the head of the convergence team, together with the City Admin. Ang among mga kauban diha ang other mga doctors, amo ng meetingon para among ma-strategize, mausa gyud namo among plano, dili lang kay ako ray mo-strategize,” he said. — with Caecent N. Magsumbol, Decemay P. Padilla, JMD (FREEMAN)