Here’s How Subic Bay Is Preparing for the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

COVID-19 vaccines are now being deployed to different areas in the Philippines. Cities and provinces begin to prepare for the vaccination program, but Subic Bay Freeport Zone has already been prepping since last year for the eventual vaccine rollout in Subic.

Health facilities in Subic are being put together and health workers are being prepared for when the vaccines arrive in the area. Various arrangements are still being made to gain easier access to vaccine supplies, but authorities assure that Subic Bay will be more than ready when the vaccination program finally starts. Read and find out the several measures and preparations taken for the vaccine rollout in Subic.

In terms of the types of vaccines to be procured, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and President Wilma Eisma noted that the area aims to get NOVAVAX COVID-19 vaccines. She also assured that Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) is getting ready for the rollout. Health facilities and health care workers in Subic are preparing for the mass vaccination program by the government. Since the outbreak last year, Eisma said that SBFZ has prepared for any possible outcome and implemented various health protocols against COVID-19.

She also added that SBFZ is closely coordinating with the Department of Health for the procurement of NOVAVAX and its immediate deployment. A partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and private companies is also being considered as SBMA must look for other ways to obtain the vaccine, given the fact that it is not a local government unit. For the vaccination, the agency will be prioritizing healthcare workers, senior citizens, indigent population, and law enforcement/uniformed personnel. A vaccination team in SBFZ consisting of five doctors, 20 nurses, and two medical technologists is also established for when the vaccines finally arrive.

As part of their efforts, the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department also presented a COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Simulation Exercise where they demonstrated five steps for the vaccination program. These include registration; pre-vaccination counselling and final consent; screening; vaccination; and post-vaccination monitoring, surveillance, and recording. Eisma also noted that SBMA has been at the forefront in the battle against COVID-19 since it broke out early last year.

As of March 25, 2021, SBFZ has recorded 13 active cases in quarantine/isolation healthcare facilities in Subic, and 1 active case admitted in the hospital.

Visit Yoorekka to see more news about Subic, its health care facilities, and its vaccination campaign.