To ensure faster vaccination against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Department of Health should OK a proposal for a drive-thru vaccination in local government units. FILE PHOTO by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is urged to allow the concept of drive-thru vaccination through local government units to speed up inoculation against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Quezon City Rep. Percy Hipolito Castelo said setting up drive-thru vaccination sites would improve efficiency and prevent overcrowding. More vaccines are expected to arrive in the country in the coming months.
“One way is to introduce other vaccination solutions like the setting up the drive-thru or drive-in take-up centers,” Castelo said in a statement.
“Having drive-thru vaccination sites will encourage those who are hesitant to go to existing congested inoculation centers due to fear of contracting the virus from other vaccinees or vaccinators,” she added.
Castelo said that more than 230 million people had been immunized throughout the United States in drive-thru vaccination areas like huge football stadiums.
“We can do that here, in public parks like the Luneta in Manila or Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, in public buildings like the Quezon City Hall parking building, in large government properties like the National Housing Authority complex near QC City Hall and the Batasan compound,” Castelo said.
In Central Luzon, Castelo said it would be possible to set up vaccine take-up hubs in Subic, Zambales; Clark special economic zone in Angeles City; and Camp John Hay in Baguio City in Northern Luzon.
“Introducing other solutions like drive-thru hubs and home and village vaccination is the only way we can ramp up vaccine rollout and protect as many of our people as possible from the virus and COVID-19,” Castelo said.
Castelo had urged officials to let subdivisions and villages do their own COVID-19 vaccination drives.
READ: IATF urged to let private subdivisions, villages conduct COVID-19 vaccination