1st day of national vax campaign serves 784 people in Subic Freeport

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — At least 784 people were inoculated against COVID-19 at two sites here on Monday (Nov. 29) as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) joined the government’s three-day “Bayanihan Bakunahan” national vaccination program.

The vaccine rollout at the Ayala Mall Harbor Point and Allied Care Baypointe Hospital targeted Freeport residents and workers, including those who are seniors or with comorbidities and children ages 12 to 17.

In a statement, SBMA Chair and Administrator Wilma Eisma said: “We are ready to double our usual number of vaccine recipients in the next two days and we will accommodate anyone, including walk-ins, just as long as they’re registered at the SBMA-Department of Health (DOH) vaccination program website.”

Healthcare workers administered Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine brands and Sinovac for second doses of those who had earlier received Sinovac shots.

Dr. Solomon Jacalne, head of the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department, said some members of the Olongapo Medical Society assisted SBMA healthcare workers in the rollout.

“We’ll give the shots to everyone—seniors and children, those for their first dose or second dose, as long as they’re registered,” Jacalne said.

The SBMA said it will also open a drive-through vaccination site on Wednesday at the west wing entrance of Ayala Mall Harbor Point for Subic stakeholders who cannot walk to the indoor vaccination site, said SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ronnie Yambao. INQ