The city government of Makati City will be opening five COVID-19 vaccination sites to cater to thousands of senior citizens who have registered for the city’s free vaccination program.
Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay said the city will start opening the vaccination sites on April 13, adding that the city has finished installing necessary equipment and materials for the facilities.
The new COVID-19 vaccination sites of the city are the barangay covered courts of Bel-Air, Forbes Park, San Lorenzo, and Urdaneta, and the Asia Pacific College in Barangay Magallanes.
"With the arrival of a new batch of vaccines from the national government, these additional vaccination sites will speed up the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to thousands of Makatizens who have registered online for Bakuna Makati. Over the past weeks, we have put in place the necessary equipment and other logistical needs to ensure the safety and convenience of both vaccinees and frontliners," she said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Makati Health Department has deployed three vaccination teams per village to administer Sinovac's Coronavac to senior residents of the five barangays.
Binay said its senior citizens who registered for vaccination have already received their confirmation number and designated schedule and venue.
Another vaccination site at the Fort Bonifacio Elementary School in West Rembo will open to vaccinate senior citizens in District 2 who have registered for vaccination, the mayor said.
The city government targets to inoculate around 155,000 senior citizens under Makati’s free vaccination program.
The mayor said that persons with comorbidities who have registered online will continue to be served at the Makati Coliseum.
"We reiterate that we will not accept walk-in residents. Entry to the vaccination site will only be granted to those who can present a valid confirmation number and text message confirming their schedule for the day," said Binay.
Residents and non-residents who work in Makati who wish to get vaccinated will have to undergo online registration, counseling, screening, vaccination, and post-vaccination monitoring.
The Makati Health Department (MHD) said it follows the prioritization list of the Department of Health.
Under the city's vaccination plan, MHD prioritizes giving vaccines to 13,469 frontliners in public and private hospitals, other medical facilities, and facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Makati Social Welfare Department; 155,562 senior citizens; 14,574 persons with comorbidities; and 4,160 members of "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program."
After them, the city will inoculate teachers and social workers, other government workers, other essential workers, other high-risk groups, OFWs, and other remaining workers.
Aside from the Makati Coliseum and Ospital ng Makati, the local government has identified 30 vaccination sites which include 24 public schools (divided into four zones) and six villages.