DILG: Walk-ins at COVID-19 vaccination sites okay but observe health protocols

Allowing people to get a COVID-19 vaccine under a walk-in policy is welcome provided that minimum public health standards are observed, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Wednesday.

DILG Assistant Secretary Odilon Pasaraba made the response in connection with the move of Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno allowing walk-ins to get a vaccine after low turnout of people in four vaccination sites due to the policy of limiting the giving of vaccine shot to those who registered for the vaccination.

"DILG Secretary Eduardo Año encourages local chief executives to develop strategies to ramp up vaccination. Hence, any strategy done without offending our established health and vaccination protocols is welcome," Pasaraba said during the Laging Handa briefing.

Based on data from the Manila Public Information Office, only 4,402 individuals got vaccinated prior to allowing walk-ins last June 21.

When Moreno allowed walk-ins to get a vaccine by 4:30 pm on the same day, an additional 7,347 people got vaccinated which brought the total number of people who got their jabs that day to 11,749.

The Philippines has around 12 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine supply so far.

Of this number, 8 million doses have been given to individuals of which 2.6 million already completed the two doses required.

The government is eyeing to inoculate 58 million people or 70% of the population in Metro Manila, its adjacent provinces, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao combined to achieve herd immunity, given that these areas are densely populated and are economic centers. — RSJ, GMA News