THE Davao City Government has started its registration for residents who want to avail themselves of free Covid-19 vaccines.
Davao City Covid-19 Vaccination Program head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said in a radio interview on Thursday, February 12, that Davao City residents can now visit their respective health districts to sign up for a slot ahead of the mass vaccination.
But Villafuerte said only those 18 years old and up are qualified to register, while pregnant women are not permitted to take the vaccine.
"Gi-awhag nato ang tanan kung asa ang pinakaduol nila nga health center, o di kaha barangay health worker, o barangay nutrition scholars, magparehistro na sila, ihatag nila ilang data para masulod sila sa atong masterlist (We encourage everyone to register, provide their data to their nearest health center, barangay health worker or barangay nutrition scholars so that their names will be included in the master list)," Villafuerte said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
Under Davao City's Covid-19 vaccination plan, frontliners, indigents, senior citizens, and uniformed personnel will still be prioritized to get the vaccine as classified by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Villafuerte, who recently retired as head of the Davao City Health Office (CHO) head, said each vaccination team will only accommodate 100 clients per day.
"Gi-limit lang nato for quality services, gi-limit lang gyud sya 100 per vaccination team. If we have five teams, then we will have 500 clients per day (We limit it for quality service, we limit it to 100 per vaccination team. If we have five teams, then we will have 500 clients per day)," she said.
According to Villafuerte, each vaccination process would take about 45 minutes and will include registration, counseling, screening, vaccination, and post-vaccination service.
She also said that individuals receiving vaccines should follow their schedule for vaccination.
"When you are listed for the day, mag-adto gyud, kasi sayang ang slot, sayang ang higayon nga makadawat mo'g immunization (When you are listed for the day, you come, because you will waste the opportunity to get the immunization)," Villafuerte said.
She also said that the city is eyeing an electronic registration using the SafeDavao QR (DQR) code.
"Ang gusto man gud sa atong gobyerno, sa ato sa city, is we use the QR code. So, mas matagaan sya og opportunity ang mga district health officer o district staff to call you for your schedule. I-notify ka nila for your schedule (What the City Government wants is we use the QR code. Through this, the district health officer or staff will notify you when it is your schedule)," the official said.
The city is targeting to vaccinate 1.2 million Dabawenyos under Davao City's Covid-19 vaccination program, in order to achieve the targeted herd immunity.
Meanwhile, on Friday, February 12, Villafuerte emphasized during a press conference the need to get the vaccine.
She also reiterated the statement of the World Health Organization that "there is no other option except vaccination."
"Ipasabot gyud nato sa ila unsa ka-importante ang (There is a need to inform them the importance of the) vaccination sa pag-stop nato sa pandemya (in putting an end to this pandemic). Because if we don't, then we will go on like this," Villafuerte said, adding that the city will be stuck in observing the minimum health protocols if the public will continue to refuse to get vaccinated.
She said the local government will intensify its information drive in order to help persuade the public to get the vaccine or help them decide whether to get the vaccine or not.
CHO acting head Dr. Ashley Lopez admitted that vaccines will have side effects but it is important to note their long-term benefits.
"Aside from controlling Covid infection, there's no other way, we have to be immunized in order for us to come up with a herd immunity," Lopez said.