Mandaue to start mobile vaccination

CEBU, Philippines —  Mandaue City is poised at bringing its COVID-19 vaccination program closer to residents who find it difficult to go to vaccination sites.

Yesterday, the city’s officials inspected a refurbished airport bus that will be used for the project and are set to schedule the training, orientation, and briefing of those who will operate what the city will call the Mandaue City Mobile Vaccine Clinic.

The mobile clinic is expected to start going around the city starting August 2021. It will support the inoculation at existing vaccination centers and will prioritize residents who are unable to travel like those who are bedridden, senior citizens who have problems in walking or transporting, and those who have severe comorbidities who cannot move voluntarily.

“It is a project by Philippine Red Cross in coordination with LGU Mandaue. Last month, they came to the mayor’s office then talked about it, and informed on this day that the van is now ready,” said Ernie Manatad, Mandaue Vaccine Board Chairman, in an interview with The Freeman.

“We are trying to fast-track the preparations of everything all for the necessary things to prepare for its functionality,” he added.

“We concentrate in establishing the six vaccination centers in Mandaue, ang kana siya gitumong lang na siya nga project when the Red Cross discussed that with the committee of the Mayor that they are preparing a fast type vaccination,” he said further. 

The mobile vaccination training will include health professionals who can get the proper the experience on the vaccination process as required by the Department of Health (DOH).

Mandaue City will finalize the arrangement with the Philippine Red Cross on the mobile clinic soon.

As of July 20, 2021, the city has administered a total of 111,908 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to its residents, both the first dose and the second dose.

Recently, it received 11,260 doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which will be administered to those in the A2 and A3 priority groups.

Senior citizens make up the A2 group while people with comorbidies make up the A3 group. — Jomelou Q. Menorias, CNU Intern, JMO (FREEMAN)