Marikina preps 'mobile vaccinators,' storage facility as San Juan simulates vaccination

The Marikina City government on Wednesday said it is planning to deploy "mobile vaccinators" that will conduct house-to-house COVID-19 vaccinations, even as it prepared its cold storage facility for the vaccines.

According to Ivan Mayrina’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the city government said apart from an actual vaccination site, at least 100 vaccinators will go around the city with their "mobile vaccine carriers" - each containing cool packs and a temperature monitor - to vaccinate people in their communities.

The city will also be using auto-disable syringes to ensure the injection of precise dosage of vaccines.

The city government said it has prepared its storage facility ahead of the expected arrival in the following months of the vaccines it has ordered.

 “Inihahanda natin ‘yong vaccine carrier natin. They will be mobile at tinitingnan din namin ‘yong platform na kakailanganin dahil depende doon sa type ng vaccine na gagamitin eh pero ang pinaka-importante is ‘yong care monitoring afterwards, ‘pagkasaksak ng vaccine, makita natin ‘yong reaction,” Mayor Marcy Teodoro said.

Meanwhile, the San Juan City government has started its simulation exercise for its COVID-19 vaccination program.

The city government already ordered 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines. Of its 120,000 population, the city targets to vaccinate 84,000 or 70%.

“Uunahin muna ang mga nasa prioritizaion list and then everyone else will follow so ako I’m confident that those who will signify their intention to be vaccinated, kaya naming gawing 100% po ‘yan,” Mayor Francis Zamora said.

Zamora said the city government will use the San Juan Gym as its main vaccination site so individuals can observe minimum health protocols.

Before getting vaccinated, individuals need to register, undergo counseling and shall be observed for an hour after the vaccination.

“Hindi puwedeng pilitin ang ating mamamayan kaya ang ginagawa po namin is matinding education campaign para mawala ‘yong takot ng tao sa bakuna. Kailangan tumataas ang tiwala ng tao sa klase ng bakuna at we  have to give them a brand that is trusted, that is internationally-recognized,” Zamora said. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/MDM, GMA News