In its goal to battle the harrowing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pasig City has started its vaccination simulation drills on Monday, February 16, 2021.

Pasig City was also able to implement a step-by-step process in getting a vaccine against COVID-19. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Department of Health (DOH) Director for the National Capital Region Corazon Flores said that the agency released guidelines “to ensure that the process would be quite similar in vaccination sites across the country.”

It can be recalled that Pasig City was the first local government unit to have its vaccination plan approved by the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO): “I was told that Pasig is the First LGU with a DOH /WHO-approved vaccination plan!!” Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced in a Tweet last  January 26,2021.

“Our LGU’s Beat COVID-19 Task Force will continue to work with our national government agencies, WHO, private medical institutions, and NGOs. They’ve been with us every step of the way,” he added.

The following steps need to be done by those who wish to receive these much-anticipated vaccines:

1. PRE-REGISTER

First things first, an official city resident must be able to pre-register him or herself before going to vaccination centers. In Pasig City, residents are automatically registered through their Pasig QR Codes.

When residents arrive at the vaccination site, a staff would immediately check the residents’ schedules.

2. PHYSICAL REGISTRATION AND SCREENING

When a resident’s pre-registration schedule is already confirmed, he or she may proceed to the registration and screening area where his or her vital signs will be checked.

This is the same area where a resident’s comorbidities or allergies are assessed.

If the resident has health issues, he or she will be rescheduled.

3. COUNSELLING

If an individual is free of any health issues, he or she will undergo counselling. Typically, a short video explaining how the vaccine works and what its benefits are will be shown.

This is also the time when the individual can raise questions and sign consent forms.

4. VACCINATION

During the process of COVID-19 vaccination, the individual will be informed of what vaccine will be administered to him or her.

5. MONITORING

The final step for the vaccination is monitoring. During this process, the individual will be asked to stay and wait for 30 minutes after immunization.

This is also the time where an individual’s blood pressure, temperature, and pulse rate will be taken every 10 minutes.

The individual may only be discharged once he or she has shown no signs of severe side effects.

To learn more about the step-by-step process of COVID-19 immunization, you may check out the DOH’s official website.