ILOILO – Seven towns in the 1st District are set to start a drive-thru vaccination scheme against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This will prevent crowding and limit face-to-face interaction, according to Provincial Board member Marcelo Valentine Serag.
First District is comprised of the towns San Joaquin, Miag-ao, Guimbal, Tubungan, Igbaras, Oton, and Tigbauan.
San Joaquin had dry-runs on Aug. 14 and Sept. 3, and Igbaras yesterday.
In the current vaccination set up mostly in community gymnasiums, mass gathering is inevitable, Serag explained.
In the drive-thru vaccination scheme, the assessment, orientation and screening of people are conducted online, then off they go to the vaccination sites in their cars or any type of public utility vehicle.
“Wala na sila nagapanaog sa salakyan kay dira na lang sila tublokan,” said Serag.
The drive-thru vaccination, initiated by Cong. Janette Garin, would cater to priority groups A1 to A4 (frontline health workers, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, and economic workers).
Serag said Oton, Tigbauan and Tubungan towns are also set to conduct dry-runs before the district-wide scheme is formally opened.
As of Sept. 5, based on the data of the Provincial Health Office, here’s the breakdown of the total confirmed coronavirus cases in the district: Oton (2,287), Miag-ao (1,081), San Joaquin (1,030), Guimbal (941), Tigbauan (584), Igbaras (519), and Tubungan (110)./PN