Up to 300 QC tricycle drivers, delivery riders vaccinated on Labor Day

Around 200 to 300 tricycle drivers and delivery riders in Quezon City were inoculated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during a symbolic vaccination on Labor Day.

According to Mav Gonzales’ report on “24 Oras Weekend,” the drivers were pre-registered before they were vaccinated. They underwent screening and lined up at a tent for the vaccination.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III vaccinated some of the tricycle drivers.

As the drivers did not need to alight from their vehicles, authorities were able to maintain physical distancing.

After the vaccination, the drivers went on to a second tent for observation.

The whole process took less than one hour, including the 30 minutes observation period of vaccinated individuals.

The drivers who were vaccinated also received food packs from the government.

“Na-book na natin ‘yung x number of TODA for a certain day. Kapag pinayagan na tayo ng A4, saka natin ia-activate ‘yung drive-thru,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

(We booked an x number of [Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Associations] for a certain day. Once we’re allowed to vaccinate the A4 category, we will activate the drive-thru.)

Duque, meanwhile, clarified that the official vaccination of the A4 group will begin around the last week of May to the first week of June.

“Ito po ay dumedepende pa rin sa sapat na bakuna na parating. Wala po doon sa atin na inaangkat na gobyerno. Sinovac ang ating ibabakuna para sa mga manggagawa,” he said.

(This still depends if the additional vaccines are enough. It’s not included in those already imported by the government. We will vaccinate them using Sinovac.)

“Pero pagka nadating sa Mayo at Hunyo ‘yung mas malaking bulto ng mga bakuna pwede na andyan na rin ‘yung Gamaleya, puwedeng andyan na rin ‘yung AstraZeneca,” he added.

(But by May and June, there will be a bigger bulk which may include Gamaleya and AstraZeneca.)

He reminded the public to be careful despite being vaccinated as they could still get infected as well as infect others with COVID-19.

According to a separate report by Vonne Aquino, local workers and overseas Filipino workers also received the vaccine during a simultaneous symbolic vaccination in Manila.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said 5,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine were allocated for the symbolic vaccinations.

“Sa Araw ng Paggawa ay maturukan natin ang 3,000 OFW at 2,000 libong manggagawa,” Bello said.

(During Labor Day, let us vaccinate 3,000 OFWs and 2,000 local workers.)

The local workers who are exposed to other individuals were given priority while OFWs who were vaccinated are active members of the Overseas Welfare Workers Administration. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News