“Resbakuna sa mga Botika,” Marikina City’s drugstore vaccination campaign, was officially launched by the city government in collaboration with Southstar Drug on Thursday, Jan. 20.

The pilot launch took place at the Southstar Drug branch at the Graceland Plaza in Barangay Concepcion Dos, Marikina, and was led by Mayor Marcy Teodoro, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, and Robinsons CEO and President Robina Gokongwei-Pe.

Under the “Resbakuna sa mga Botika” program, the participating Southstar Drug branch will aim to vaccinate about 100 to 200 people per day with either SinoVac or AstraZeneca brand vaccines depending on the stock.

“Ang ‘Resbakuna sa Botika’ ay additional access point para sa mga gustong magpabakuna, mas convenient dahil kung sila ay bibili ng gamot, kayo ay nasa lugar na ito, makakapagbakuna na sila. Hindi na sila kailangang pumunta sa malayong lugar para magpabakuna. Sa ganitong paraan ay na-de-democratize natin ‘yung access to vaccination (‘Resbakuna sa Botika’ is an additional access point for potential vaccinees and is more convenient because if they want to buy medicine at the drugstore, they may as well get vaccinated. This way, we can democratize the access to vaccination),” said Teodoro during the pilot launch.

Walk-in vaccinations are allowed but Teodoro said frontline workers are the target recipients so as to assist in the safe reopening of businesses in Marikina.

“Pinapayagan din naman ang walk-in kung mayroon pang available slots sa araw na iyon, depende sa supply ng bakuna pero may buffer naman na inilalaan sa mga walk-in lalo na sa mga kailangan talaga magpabakuna (Walk-ins are allowed depending on the slots for the day and depending on supply. However, stock will also be allocated for walk-in vaccinees who are in urgent need of vaccination),” added Teodoro.