THE Lapu-Lapu City Government on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, simulated the vaccination process, with Mayor Junard Chan receiving a saline solution instead of a real vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The simulation, the first by a local government unit (LGU) in Central Visayas, was conducted at the Brgy. Pajo gymnasium, which has been chosen as a vaccination site.
Chan, who led the simulation, underwent the six steps outlined in the national deployment and vaccination plan.
Based on these six steps, a vaccination site must have the following: waiting area, where a temperature check is conducted; registration area; counseling area, where the vaccinee is given information on the vaccine and asked to sign a final consent form; screening area, where the vaccinee undergoes medical assessment; vaccination area; and post-vaccination area, where the vaccinee is monitored for up to 30 minutes for possible adverse events.
“Grabe gyud ang proseso kay gisiguro gyud nga luwas ta una ta magpabakuna (The process is very thorough to ensure that a person is eligible to receive the vaccine),” Chan said.
Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH 7) spokesperson, observed that additional nurses are needed.
She also said the City Government must cut the time it took to bring a vaccinee who experiences adverse events to a hospital.
She said the entire process took 45 minutes to one hour to complete during the simulation.
Loreche said Chan was injected with a placebo, which was a saline solution, during the simulation.
“This was intended for the run through for the entire process from registration to medical screening to counseling and actual vaccination and the monitoring of the adverse events,” she said.
“We did time stamping to know how long it will take for one vaccinee for the whole process,” she added.
Cebu City
In Cebu City, a letter of intent (LOI) signifying the City Government’s plan to procure the Covovax and AstraZeneca vaccines was ratified by the City Council.
The City Government plans to purchase P100 million worth of each vaccine.
Covovax, which was developed by Novavax in the US, will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and distributed by Faberco Life Sciences Inc. in the Philippines.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is the brand that is also being procured by other local government units (LGUs) through the national government.
AstraZeneca is covered by an emergency use authorization (EUA) in the Philippines. An application for an EUA for Covovax has yet to be filed before the Food and Drug Administration.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Administrator Floro Casas Jr. told reporters that three malls have offered space for a vaccination site.
Talks are also ongoing between the local Vaccine Operations Center and operators of schools, churches and gyms.
“These areas were selected for the convenience of the vaccinees. After inoculation, a vaccinee must be monitored for any possible adverse events. So they should be comfortable,” Casas said.
City Health Department (CHD) head Jeffrey Ibones said the vaccinators have been identified. They will undergo training as required by the DOH.
There will be at least 100 vaccinators in the CHD, and 40 vaccinators in each of the planned 10 vaccination sites.
A resolution introduced by Councilor Dave Tumulak asked the executive department to accept volunteers from allied health professions who will be deputized to inject the vaccine. (GCM / WBS / JJL)