CHED: Six HEIs partner with LGUs to serve as vaccination centers

MANILA, Philippines — Six higher education institutions (HEIs) have agreed to become vaccination centers at local government units (LGUs) where they are located, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Friday.

CHED chairman Prospero De Vera III said in a statement Friday that the following HEIs have retrofitted their facilities to help in the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program:

1. University of Santo Tomas Hospital (NCR)

2. Manila Central University Gymnasium (NCR)

3. St. Louis University Baguio Gymnasium (CAR)

4. De La Salle Medical Health Sciences Institute (Region 4)

5. Our Lady of Fatima University (NCR)

6. Central Philippine University (CPU)

According to De Vera, more HEIs might soon agree to turn facilities into vaccination centers as he encouraged them to extend help “as the country gears for expanded vaccination of senior citizens, essential workers, teachers, and government personnel starting the 2nd quarter of the year.”

“In return, we ask the LGUs to include the HEI faculty, staff, and students who are assisting in the vaccination drive in their vaccination list so they can assist their LGUs,” De Vera added.

With more vaccines expected to arrive in the country, De Vera said “we must maximize the use of large alternative venues to be readily available so that the priority groups (essential workers, seniors, the indigents) could be inoculated without further delay.”

A set of guidelines for establishing vaccination centers in HEIs is already being prepared by CHED and its group of public health experts.

De Vera said the guidelines will also be discussed with LGUs and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease.

KGA