AN OFFICIAL from the Davao City Covid-19 Vaccination Program admitted they have problems notifying vaccinees on their schedule.
Covid-19 Vaccination Program head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said in a radio interview on Tuesday morning, June 22, that they are encountering problems in the registration process.
"Ginahimo namo tanang pamaagi nga para unta dili maglisod atong vaccines ug para ma-inform sila. Ginahangyo lang namo is understanding kay sa vaccination, wala tay problema, apan sa pagrehistro nimo ug pagtawag sa imoha, medyo naa didto ang atong mga problema (We are doing all means to inform our vaccinees and avoid inconveniences. All we are asking for is their understanding. We have no problem in terms of the vaccination phase. We have, however, problems in the pre-registration and the notification process)," Villafuerte said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
The official admitted they have received complaints of some registrants who have not been notified on their schedule for vaccination for nearly a month.
She said this case is the same for those registered to their nearest health centers and via online through Safe Davao QR (DQR) Code.
The DQR system, as of now, has no confirmatory text feature indicating the date and time when the vaccinee will go to their vaccination venue.
"Naa mi mga encoder nga gina-filter nila tungod wala pa kapasikad ang system ron nga mu-notify sa ilaha og kanus-a (We have an encoder who will filter the registration details because our system, as of now, has no capacity to notify the registrants on their schedule)," Villafuerte said.
She added that the system developer is already addressing the problem and they wanted it to be functional as soon as possible.
Due to some limitations brought about by the Data Privacy Act, they segregate the list per district, and manually contact at least 600 registrants per day. This is the reason why it takes time for the vaccinees to receive their schedule via text.
To speed up the text notification, the vaccination head said a telecommunication company offered the city government to ramp up the "text blast."
Villafuerte reiterated that “walk-ins” are strictly prohibited in vaccination sites but they still cater to them under the "quick substitution list," whether they are registered or not. This would, however, depend on the number of vaccinees who will not show up on schedule.
This is to avoid vaccine wastage.
Individuals who wish to be listed under the substitution list must register to their nearest health center. She said they must be ready to be contacted.
If there are no quick substitutes, she said they will vaccinate anyone near the vaccination site.
Meanwhile, Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) head and DQR Implementation supervisor Lemuel Ortonio said they are finalizing incorporating confirmatory text messages for DQR registrants.
Ortonio clarified, however, that the text message will not yet include the schedule as this would still depend upon the vaccine supply.
"We had a meeting, and we were informed that this will be available by July," he said.
The vaccine cluster is tasked in the scheduling of the vaccinees.
Ortonio said he is aware that those who registered to the nearest health centers were vaccinated ahead compared to those pre-registered via DQR.
“It will depend asa sila na priority group. Could be nga pagpa-register nila, ang ilahang priority group is not part of the catered vaccination cluster,” he said.
Currently, all Safe Davao QR (DQR) code users residing in Davao City can pre-register online.
DQR users can register online through SafeDavaoQR Mobile App Scanner or the website (profiles.safe-davao.com).
Registrants must click the “Covid-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration is now open for individuals” tab.
Then click "Register" and log in using the user's individual DQR code, registered mobile number, and birth date.
"Basaha pag maayo ang tanang impormasyon una mag tubag sa mga pangutana (Read carefully before answering the questions)," the DQR page said.
After filling out the online registration form, registrants are reminded to wait for the schedule of the priority group they belong. This will be notified through their respective district health office or through a DQR text message.
Ortonio said registrations at district health centers are still ongoing but he said they are planning to transition from “manual” registration to DQR.
“Ultimately, ang goal gyud nato is ang DQR gyud ang gamiton (our goal is that the registration will be totally done via DQR),” he said.