COVID-19 vaccine slots run out as A4 workers troop to inoculation centers

Workers included in the A4 priority list lined up early at COVID-19 inoculation centers in Metro Manila despite the limited vaccination slots.

On Tina Pangabinan Perez's "24 Oras" report on Tuesday, some workers lining up to get COVID-19 jabs were asked to leave as early as 7 a.m. as vaccine slots ran out in a mall in Manila.

Augusto Gallos, a seaman who recently finished processing his papers for employment, went to a vaccination site in Manila at 7 a.m. despite a limited supply of 750 doses.

According to him, he failed to secure a dose of COVID-19 vaccine because Manila LGU personnel announced the cut-off for the day's vaccination.

"We can't do anything if that is the protocol," he said in Filipino.

Luckily, Catherine Reyes, an A4 category worker, was able to receive her vaccine dose even as the vaccination center also announced an early cut-off.

"I am traveling every day and I am not sure if I am at risk at the Light Rail Transit," she explained in Filipino.

Long lines of A4 workers seeking to get vaccinated were also seen at the Divisoria mall in Manila.

Meanwhile, at the Maria Clara High School in Caloocan, some essential workers flocked to the vaccination site at 4 a.m. even as the center was set to accept vacinees at 8 a.m.

On Monday, the national government started vaccinations for the 35 million economic frontliners.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. previously admitted that the country reduced its seven-day moving average of daily COVID-19 vaccinated individuals last week because of the insufficient vaccine supply.  — Consuelo Marquez/DVM, GMA News