Free rice for booster shots in Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The vaccination cluster of the pandemic task force in this city is giving away a kilo of rice to those who will get their booster shots against COVID.

“This started on April 26, but was not properly announced. Whoever wants to get a booster dose will receive one kilo of rice in any of the city’s operational vaccination hubs that are catering to boosters,” Dr. Michelle Schlosser, task force spokesperson, said.

But the free rice is available only until supply lasts. The task force, she said, is looking at ways to encourage more residents to avail themselves of free booster shots as uptake has been very slow.

According to the cluster’s May 6 report, 252,267 or 19.24 percent of 1,311,008 fully immunized residents have received their first booster shot. Of the number, only 734 or 0.29 percent received their second booster shot.

“From our first announcement that only immunocompromised individuals can avail themselves of the second booster dose, we can now roll it out to all A1, A2 and A3 priority groups after receiving the directive and guidelines from the Department of Health,” Schlosser said.

City health official said fast lanes have been set up for business processing outsource workers at the People’s Park and for public utility drivers at the Crocodile Park.

These sites would also accept vaccinees aged 12 and above from Monday to Saturday.