(FILE) NEXT PRIORITY Elderly residents of Pasay City receive their shots of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as the local government starts inoculating those included in the next priority sector after its health workers. —RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines – Election lawyer and senior citizen rights advocate Romulo Macalintal on Saturday called on local government units (LGU) and the Department of Health (DOH) to permit able-bodied relatives of the elderly to line up for them during vaccinations.
“To ensure protection to our SCs (senior citizens) in such a situation, we call upon the concerned local government unit and the Department of Health implementing our vaccination program to allow able-bodied relatives or companions of SCs to line up for the SCs at the registration and waiting areas,” he said.
He added that in some vaccination sites, seniors have to line up for registration and have to wait in poorly ventilated areas.
“Such a situation is dangerous to the health of the SCs with health or medical conditions as he or she might suffer from heat-related illness,” he said.
However, Macalintal noted that some LGUs have taken measures to ensure the protection and comfort of senior citizens while waiting to get vaccinated.
Macalintal added that the local governments of Taguig City and Marilao in Bulacan have partnered with some mall owners and similar establishments to use their “properly ventilated and shaded covered parking areas” as vaccination centers.
“I was advised by [Taguig] Mayor Lino Cayetano that they have developed a system to ensure SCs’ safety and well-being that their vaccination schedule is by appointment to avoid overcrowding,” he said.
Macalintal thanked mall owners and establishment owners for extending their help and assistance to LGUs and the DOH to ensure the well-being of senior citizens who are waiting to get vaccinated.
RELATED STORIES
Taguig LGU offers home service vaccinations for bedridden residents
Villanueva: Consider house-to-house vaccination, ‘drive-thru’ centers for seniors
3,000 elderly in Cebu City inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine