Gov’t eyes incentives for vaccinators in pharmacies

MANILA, Philippines — The government is looking at incentives for COVID-19 vaccinators who will participate in the immunization drive in select pharmacies and clinics.

National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon on Tuesday announced that the government will roll out the vaccination drive in pharmacies and clinics on January 20 and 21 in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“‘Yan po pinag-uusapan natin ngayon pero nag-volunteer po kasi ang ating mga botika din na sa kanilang serbisyo at nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanila,” Dizon said during Wednesday’s Laging Handa briefing when asked about the honorarium to be given to vaccinators.

(That is what we are discussing now as pharmacies have volunteered to provide their service and we thank them for that.)

“Pero pag-uusapan po natin kung ano, with DOH (Department of Health), kung ano ang pwede nating insentibo sa kanila lalo na sa ating mga pharmacists sa mga botikas,” he continued.

(We are now talking with the DOH on the possible incentives that we could give especially to the pharmacists in drugstores.)

Dizon likewise shared that they will distribute the allocated COVID-19 vaccines to the following participating drugstores and clinics:

• Healthway Manila Clinic
• Mercury Drug Malate, Pres. Quirino Ave.
• South Star Drug Marikina
• Watsons, SM Supercenter Pasig
• Generika Drugstore Signal 1 in Taguig
• The Generics Pharmacy, Parañaque
• Qualimed Clinic, McKinley Road in Makati

“Ibababa na po ngayong araw na ito. Simula ngayon, padating na po du’n sa inisyal na pitong mga pilot sites natin dito sa NCR ang mga bakuna at iba-iba pong brand ‘yan,” Dizon said.

(We will distribute today. Starting today, the initial allocation of various vaccines will be delivered to the seven pilot sites in NCR.)

“I-a-announce po ng mga botika kung ano ang mga brand na mayroon sa kanila,” he added.

(The pharmacies will be the ones to announce what vaccine brands they have.)

Acting Palace spokesperson Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles recently said each participating pharmacy and clinic will be alloted 500 COVID-19 doses per week.

/MUF