Urdaneta City – Mall vaccinations provide alternative site for vaccinees and vulnerable individuals who were unable to receive their Covid vaccines due to various reasons.
In Pangasinan, mall establishment has been very supportive of the Department of Health’s (DOH) Bajuhanagn Bayan Pinaslakas Booster Vaccination Program. They have been providing a designated vaccination area where shoppers and customers can visit and avail of the Covid-19 vaccine anytime, including weekends.
Eugene J. Exiomo, 49 year-old engineer and a resident of Urdaneta City, who visited one of the biggest mall in the city to have his regular haircut, found out that there is an on-going vaccination beside the barber shop, immediately availed himself of the booster shot. “This is a relief for me dahil hindi ako makapunta sa center dahil busy sa work. Buti na lang meron dito sa mall. Nakumpleto ko na ang booster doses ko. Papupuntahin ko rin ang mga tao ko dito na hindi pa nakapagpa-booster at malapit lang ung project naming dito.”
“I hope that everyone gets vaccinated and makabalik na tayong lahat sa dati nating mga nakagawian at makabalik na sa trabaho ang iba nating kababayan,” he said.
The vaccination in malls is part of a wider effort to bring vaccines to target individuals and ensure that vaccines reach everyone.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated that apart from mall vaccinations and information drive on COVID-19, local government units are doing house-to-house visits and also giving away incentives such as free groceries and packs of rice for senior citizens who avail of the booster doses.
“We have to complete our booster shots so that we can be fully protected from the virus. Kung protektado tayo, protektado rin ang ating pamilya.”
“Vaccines are essential tool in our fight against the Covid virus. They are highly effective and proven to save lives. Kaya sa mga hindi pa nakakakumpleto ng bakuna, ngayon na ang tamang panahon upang magpabakuna,” Sydiongco encouraged.
“Solidarity is important during this time of pandemic. Hindi natin ito pwedeng ipagwalang bahala. We must ensure that we are vaccinated and others are vaccinated as well. Because our own protection relies on other people’s protection.” Sydiongco concluded.
