CANDABA Mayor Rene Maglanque is seeking authorization from National Government in the emergency transfer of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine in cases of absence of original recipients.
Maglanque cited some instances when individuals who agreed to receive the vaccine during the initial survey but backed out during the actual day of vaccination.
"Currently, the protocol that the Municipal Health Office follows is they stick to the original list and send back the vaccines that were unused due to absence of intended recipient," he said.
The mayor lamented that such system not only adds up to the logistical costs but also hampers the rollout of vaccine in the community.
Instead of returning the vaccines, Maglanque proposed that the vaccines will be given to those who are next in the original list and still wants to receive the vaccine.
"Since the program is to vaccinate all Filipinos, why not allow emergency replacement of recipients? In this case, we are not putting to waste the opportunity of giving protection to a Filipino who is willing to be protected," he said.
Maglanque added that authority must be given to local government units, through its health offices, in quickly identifying the new and qualified recipients of the vaccine provided that proper screening is conducted.
"If this happens, we will be able to speed up the rollout of vaccine and minimize costs and hassle," he said.