NCR opening COVID-19 vaccination to residents of nearby provinces

(REUTERS)

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila will soon accommodate residents from nearby provinces in its COVID-19 vaccination program, Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairperson and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said Monday.

Earlier, the MMC agreed to adopt the “Vax as One” scheme, meaning local governments that have almost reached their vaccination targets can now accommodate nonresidents who want to get inoculated against COVID-19.

Asked on Teleradyo if Metro Manila cities will also cover residents outside the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus, Olivarez answered in the affirmative.

“Yan po yung ia-accomodate, ginagawa lang po yung system,” he said.

(They will be accommodated, we are just arranging the system.)

“Inaayos lang po natin yung online registration nila kasi hindi pa tayo tumatanggap ng walk-in kasi magkakagulo po pag-walk-in lalo na ‘pag tumanggap tayo doon sa karatig na probinsya,” he added.

(We are working on the online registration because right now we are not yet accepting walk-ins because there will be chaos if we allow that, especially once we also accommodate those from nearby provinces.)

Olivarez said Metro Manila local government units have so far administered at least a first dose to over 80 percent of its eligible population.

“Yun pong second dose lang po ang nasa 45 percent, yung atin pong kina-catch up yung second dose pero hindi naman natin pwedeng ibigay kasi may specific na days na interval,” he added.

(Forty-five percent of Metro Manila’s population have already received their second dose and that is because we are observing the proper interval time before the second dose is given.)

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