Isko Moreno launches drive-thru booster vaccination for PUV drivers at Bagong Ospital ng Maynila

Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday launched a booster drive-thru vaccination at the Bagong Ospital ng Maynila for drivers of public utility vehicles.

According to Moreno, jeepney, taxi, tricycle, pedicab, and even delivery van drivers could avail their added protection against COVID-19 at the said hospital. He said the mass transport drivers could also bring their families.

"Dalhin ninyo pamilya ninyo, mag drive-thru kayo, injection ng booster para proteksyon. Tapos uwi na, biyahe na uli, trabaho na uli para hindi masayang ang araw ninyo ng hanap-buhay," Moreno said.

(Bring your families as well and let them have booster shots for added protection. Then go home and work so your day is not wasted.)

Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna visited the Bagong Ospital ng Maynila to check the first day of booster vaccination for PUV drivers. The city mayor said the booster vaccination at the Bagong Ospital ng Maynila  would be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We are targeting to provide booster shots to at least 1,000 individuals who will go to the [Bagong] Ospital ng Maynila starting Monday,” he said.

The Manila Health Department had proposed the additional drive-thru vaccination to ease the process of administering booster shots in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, which is operating 24 hours.

He also directed on-site booster shots for construction workers in all Manila City projects, including the new Manila Science High School in Malate, the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, the Dr. Carlos Albert High School in Sampaloc, the President Corazon Aquino General Hospital in Baseco compound, and the housing projects Tondominium 1 and 2, San Sebastian, and Pedro Gil Residences.

Moreno stressed that vaccinations could prevent possible hospitalization and even death amid the rise in COVID-19 infections due to the highly transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant.

A booster caravan is also being held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan near the Manila City Hall for two-wheel vehicles, including bicycles, for couriers and riders of delivery app services such as Grab, Angkas, Lalamove, Shopee, Mr. Speedy, Food Panda, and Lazada, among others.

Vaccination is also ongoing at various Manila health centers, designated public schools, and shopping malls.

Toll booths as drive-thru booster vax facilities

Moreno, meanwhile, suggested to the national government and the private sector to consider using expressways' toll booths as drive-thru booster shot facilities.

He said thousands of non-Manila residents who came from different provinces in Luzon had lined up for booster shots at the different vaccination facilities in the City of Manila.

Moreno said the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) can ask business tycoons Manny Pangilinan and Ramon Ang to dedicate certain toll booths at all entrance or exit toll gates at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Manila–Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx), Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway), Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), and Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEx), among others, for booster shots for motorists using the expressways.

He added that these corporations have the financial capacity to hire temporary vaccinators.

"Mayroon lang akong panawagan, idea lang, magsi-share lang ako ng idea, baka makita lang ng ibang government-owned and controlled corporations na pwede nilang gawin lahat ng toll gate pwedeng drive-thru 'yung isang lane," Moreno said.

(I have an appeal, an idea... maybe corporations could use toll gates for drive-thru vaccinations.)—AOL, GMA News