In a continued effort to vaccinate more people against Covid-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday, May 2, that they are discussing a possible move to put vaccination sites near polling precincts on election day on May 9.
"Pinag-uusapan itong paglalagay ng vaccination sites sa ating voting centers (Putting up vaccination sites in voting centers is still being discussed)," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the DOH media briefing.
"Pero sa tingin ko mukhang mas makakadagdag pa sa crowding doon sa lugar ng botohan (It think we might add to the crowding in the voting centers). Although we can set up a place near the polling precinct," she added.
Vergeire stated that they can put the vaccination site in a building situated beside the polling precinct. She said that this is still being discussed by the DOH and the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC).
She also mentioned that they will also have to take into consideration the schedules of the vaccinators, as well as the local healthcare workers who need to vote.
"We will be announcing to the public if vax will push through during these days. Let us try to remember that this is also part of the authority of the local governments. May discretion sila, sila ang magdesisyon kung magbubukas sila ng vaccination site or ipagpapaliban ng isang araw (They can decide if they will open the vaccination site or postpone and open the following day). Vergeire said.