Manila implements vaccination online registration, scraps walk-in

Starting Monday, June 21, 2021, those intending to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Manila need to register online first as the city disallowed walk-in residents at vaccination sites.

This came after crowds formed in vaccination sites over the weekend, with physical distancing no longer observed and tension arising among those in line

Residents have to register online at the Manila CoVax site then wait for a text message confirming their schedule of vaccination.

They then have to show the text message at the vaccination site on the day of their approved schedule.

Vaccination schedule is from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On Monday, those belonging to the A2 (senior citizens) and A4 (economic frontliners) priority groups with approved schedules for the day will be vaccinated at four malls in the city. Each site was given an allotment of 2,500 doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Meanwhile, those belonging to the A1 (healthcare workers), A2, A3 (persons with comorbidities) and A5 (indigents) priority groups with approved schedules for the day will get their vaccines at 18 vaccination sites. Each site has an allotment of 1,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

On Monday morning, the situation was orderly at the Sta. Ana Elementary School which was the site of tension on Sunday. There was no longer any queue of vaccinees.

"Medyo opo, nagkagulo po tayo dahil sa kagustuhan nilang mabakunahan. Talaga pong pinilit nilang pumasok," Dra. Lei Lacuna, Liga president, said regarding the weekend incident.

(Yes, there was a commotion due to the residents' desire to be vaccinated. They wanted to enter the vaccination site.)

Those who arrived at the Sta. Ana Elementary School on Monday but had no text message from Manila CoVax to show were advised to go home.

The situation was also orderly at Jacinto Zamora Elementary School in Pandacan early Monday morning.

Residents meanwhile welcomed the new policy scrapping the walk-in arrangement.

"I think supposed to be ganoon naman talaga dapat. From the start pa lang, 'pag nagpa-register then nakalagay maghintay lang ng text," said Joanna Choo.

(I think that's how it should really be. From the start, once you register, you are advised to wait for a text.)

Electrician Julius Juliano filed for a leave from work to get vaccinated on Monday, but was turned away as he had no approved schedule from Manila CoVax. He however said he accepts the situation and understands that the new policy is better for all.

At a shopping mall in Manila, the line of vaccinees was not long early Monday. 

At the Ramon Magsaysay High School, those hoping to get vaccinated against COVID-19 waited outside the school on Monday, according to GMA News reporter Tina Panganiban-Perez.

Vaccination site manager Roel de Guzman said only those who received a text message from Manila CoVax advising them of their Monday schedule were allowed inside.

Many chairs were empty inside the school as there were crowds around.

Meanwhile, a total of 27,642 individuals were vaccinated on Sunday as of 8 p.m., an all-time high of vaccination for one day, the Manila Public Information Office said.

—KG, GMA News