CANDABA -- The first-ever drive-thru vaccination site in the province located at the Candaba Trade Center was opened by the local government here on Tuesday afternoon.

The site, which is the second in the Philippines after the one in Manila City, is catering to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who cannot go through the regular process of vaccination.

Under the new vaccination approach, eligible residents need not alight from their vehicles to get jabbed, minimizing their inconvenience and exposure to the virus.

Eligible residents can access the inoculation site via their own vehicles or coordinate with the municipal health office for the public ambulance, or with their barangay for the service vehicle.

The process, which still includes screening, counseling, vaccination, and post-vaccination, takes about 15 minutes per patient, except for those who will have an adverse reaction from the vaccines.

Mayor Rene Maglanque said the alternative jabbing site will simultaneously operate with the four regular sites located in Barangay Bahay-Pare, Mangga, Salapungan, and at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Pansol.

"Despite not going out of their houses, our senior citizens and PWDs still need to get protected because they can be exposed to the virus from their family members who go out for work or errands," he said.

On its first day, 33 residents -- one from each barangays of this tow -- got jabbed at the inoculation site.

Municipal Health Officer Preny Manimbo said the site is operational every time there is a supply of vaccines, but reminded that registration and scheduling are required.

Residents can register online, through their barangay health workers, or at the municipal health office.

House-to-house jabbing

Meanwhile, aside from the drive-thru vaccination site, Maglanque said they are also set to do house-to-house jabbing this week.

"Under this program, our health workers will be the ones to go to bedridden residents to vaccinate them. No need to go out or even get up from their seats or beds," he said.

The mayor assured the safety of both programs as all residents must still undergo the screening, counseling and post-vaccination process, while health workers will be in full protective gear.

As of Tuesday, Maglanque said only 10 percent of their population has been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

He said they are targeting to achieve at least or the herd immunity or the 70 percent of the population before Christmas day.