THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region will be deploying health workers in all voting precincts in various municipalities in the provinces on May 9, 2022 to provide vaccination services to voters who will be going to the poll places during the election day.
“We are taking every opportunity to provide immunization services to those who are willing and ready to be vaccinated to further strengthen our vaccination status against the Covid-19 virus,” Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated.
“This is also to ensure that health protocols are strictly implemented that is why we need to deploy health personnel in voting precincts to assist in the triage, isolation of individuals manifesting Covid symptoms,” she added.
The establishment of vaccination kiosks is in coordination with the city/municipal health offices and rural health units. Vaccination sites will be placed beyond 30-meter-radius of polling precincts and shall cater to individuals 18 years old and above under all priority groups who are exercising their voting rights during the May 9 elections.
No vaccination sites will be established in areas under COMELEC watchlist for safety and security reasons.
“The Covid vaccination is not a requirement to the exercise of voting right. Hindi po ito sapilitan at hindi rin po ito kailangan upang makaboto ang isang botante. We will be there to administer booster shots sa mga hindi pa nabigyan at nais magpabakuna para dito.”
Among the available vaccines that can be availed are Sinovac, AstraZeneca), Sinopharm, Janssen, Pfizer -BioNTech and Moderna.
“I encouraged everyone who are going to the polling places to be cautious, wear masks, practice social distancing and proper hygiene. Health and safety of poll workers and voters must be assured to avoid the spread of Covid virus,” Sydiongco emphasized.
The DOH will be establishing vaccination posts about 30-meter-radius from polling precincts and shall cater to individuals 18 years old and above under all priority groups who are exercising their voting rights during the May 9 elections.
