The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force bared that the anti-COVID-19 vaccination in the 18 district health centers will start on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, after its supposed start on July 4 hit a snag.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, in a Viber interview with the City Information Office (CIO) on Tuesday, July 5, said, “Kung naa’y mangutana nganong nadugay, it’s because we have had transition po (If anybody asks about the delay, it’s because we had a transition) and we reoriented doctors and other medical staff of the vaccination hubs on the new policies, especially the booster rollout for the 12 to 17 years old.”

She said there was no problem with the logistics but the transition of the vaccination hubs to the district health centers took longer than expected.

They had to make sure about the storage of vaccines since these have to be stored in a specific temperature or environment.

The masterlist of health personnel and staff who will administer the COVID-19 vaccinations is also ready.

Dr. Schlosser said the district health centers will serve as a one-stop shop for the general population, A1 (medical frontliners), A2 (senior citizens), A3 (persons with comorbidities), A4 (essential workers), A5 (indigents), pediatric population 12-17, and pediatric population five to 11 years old.

However, each district health center will have a separate set of personnel who will administer the immunization of the five to 11 years old vaccinees to ensure their safety since their dosage is 0.2 ml, lower than the 0.3ml dosage intended for the 12 and above individuals.

While the booster rollout for the 12 to 17 age group will also take place in the district health centers, the city health official reiterated that immunocompromised individuals who belong to this age group will have to proceed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) as a special team will have to cater to them.

For 12-17 vaccinees who will avail of the booster jabs, Dr. Schlosser said they must bring their old vaccination card, DQR, parent’s consent, and ID card or any proof of age identification. If they are immunocompromised, they must also present a medical certificate.

Just like with the adults, the 12 to 17 individuals who will avail of the boosters can also choose their brands other than Pfizer although they can continue with the same brand as their primary two-dose series.

Davao City’s available vaccine brands include Sinovac, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna while Gamaleya Sputnik V.  Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen are no longer available. Dabawenyos can get themselves vaccinated with the available brands whether for missed, primary, and booster jabs.

All district health centers will open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but the usual cut-off will be at 3 p.m. while for SPMC, the vaccination hours will have yet to be determined.CIO