People from the A4 priority group form a long line last week for their COVID-19 shot outside a Manila shopping mall being used as a vaccination site. The A4 grouping covers front-line workers in essential sectors, including uniformed personnel. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — The City of Manila will no longer allow walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccination starting Monday “until further notice,” according to the Manila Public Information Office (PIO).
“No walk-in client will be accepted in tomorrow’s vaccination activities in the City of Manila. Only those who will receive a text message via Manila CoVax SMS will be entertained,” the Manila PIO said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Manila PIO chief Julius Leonen told reporters in a Viber message that the new protocol will be in effect “until further notice.”
In its Facebook post, the information office said the local government will vaccinate members of the A2 and A4 priority groups in four malls. @,500 doses will be delivered to each site.
A2 is the priority group for senior citizens while A4 is for essential workers.
“Likewise, members of the A1 (medical workers), A2, A3 (persons with comorbidity) and A5 priority groups will receive their COVID-19 vaccines in 18 community sites with 1,000 doses each,” the Manila PIO added.
The Manila LGU previously allowed walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations for essential workers, including those who are not residents of the city.