Gov’t sets up 216 COVID-19 vaccination centers near polling places

(FILE) Unvaccinated Dagupan residents and those needing booster shots troop to the vaccination venue at the Dagupan City Astrodome in this photo taken Jan. 5. (Photo by Willie Lomibao)

MANILA, Philippines — The government has set up 216 COVID-19 vaccination centers near polling places, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said on Monday.

Cabotaje added that most of the vaccination centers are in Soccsksargen or Region 12.

“Ang ating latest report ay may 216 vaccination sites in polling places. Pinakamarami ang Region 12 with 60. May isa sa Region 7,” she said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(Our latest report is that there are 216 vaccination sites in polling places. Most are in Region 12 with 60. There is one in Region 7.)

“Wala pong isinumite ang [Regions] 4B, 5, 8, and BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” she added.

(Regions 4B, 5, 8, and BARMM have not submitted anything.)

According to Cabotaje, a voter will just have to present an identification (ID) card and a vaccination card — if not for first dose inoculation — to the vaccinators, the same process is done in regular immunization centers.

“Ano po ang magiging proseso? Pagkatapos pong bumoto ng ating mga mamamayan, pumunta sila sa bakuna center para mabigyan ng kanilang first dose, second dose, o booster shots. Kailangan ipakita ‘yung kanilang ID at ‘yung kanilang vaccination card,” she explained.

(What will be the process? After voting, those who want to be vaccinated can head to the vaccination centers and they will be given their first dose, second dose, or booster shots. They just need to show an ID and their vaccination card.)

Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the vaccination centers are located 30 meters outside of polling centers, as agreed with the Commission on Elections.

/MUF