Manila forms vaccine action center

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Isko Moreno has created the Manila COVID-19 Vaccine Action Center (MCVAC) to prepare for the inoculation of around one million residents, workers and visitors.

Moreno said the MCVAC aims to assist in the registration of persons who want to avail themselves of the COVID-19 vaccines. It would also handle inquiries about the vaccine as well as the reporting and referral of any adverse effects following immunization.

Manila health department chief Arnold Pangan presented the city’s vaccination plan to city government employees last week.

Pangan encouraged the public to contact the MCVAC through cell phone numbers 0927-351-0849, 0915-703-0621, 0968-572-1975 or 0961-020-2655 for inquiries about the vaccination program.

Moreno said the city health department would launch an information campaign to encourage residents to get vaccinated.

City health personnel will draft the master list of priority groups through the registration of individuals, he added.

An emergency response team would be on standby in case of any adverse effects following inoculation, the city government said.

In case of emergencies, the individual will be sent to the nearest hospital in Manila.

The vaccinated individual will be issued a “vaccination passport.”