LIST: Cities that offer drive-thru COVID-19 jabs
Gone are the days when drive-thrus were only meant for food or coffee.
In these pandemic times, drive-thrus are a convenient means to get things done like getting an RT-PCR test, and now COVID-19 vaccination.
As local government units continue to roll out their vaccine drives, they are also looking into ways to encourage their residents to get jabbed via safe and efficient means.
Check out these cities that are currently doing drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination.
Makati City
Makati City is known to have optimized its available resources for its COVID-19 response and vaccine drive. From contactless monetary ayuda distribution to using repurposed jeepneys to bring vaccine registration closer to the masses.
As the city continues its vaccine drive for its residents, the financial hub recently rolled out the VAX OTG or Vaccine on the Go drive-thru vaccination site at Circuit Makati. This move was made in response to residents who are persons with disabilities (PWDs) and bedridden individuals.
Those who avail themselves of drive-thru vaccination are still subject to mandatory screening, counseling and monitoring in the comfort of their vehicles.
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay recently announced the city has tapped its tricycle operators and drivers association (TODA) to provide free tricycle services to residents who would like to get the jab at the drive-thru vaccination site.
Here are some things to note for Makati City’s drive-thru vaccination:
Vaccination site: Circuit Makati (the former Sta. Ana Racetrack)
Schedule: Every Thursday and Friday starting May 20
Operation hours: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (cut-off times will be implemented by the city)
Vaccine brand/s: AstraZeneca and Sinovac
Target categories: A1 (frontline healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities)
Where to register: Visit proudmakatizen.com
For tricycle service schedule, call 8870-1092
Imus, Cavite
In March, Imus, Cavite became the first city in the country that set up a drive-thru vaccination site.
The site at the multi-level parking of Robinsons Place Imus was set up to ensure quick and safe distribution of the vaccine to almost 1,000 frontline healthcare workers (A1 category priority group) from both public and private hospitals in the city.
Drive-thru vaccination is one of the city’s four means of inoculation, including on-site vaccination, house-to-house vaccination and community or remote vaccination.
Here are some things to note for Imus, Cavite's drive-thru vaccination:
Vaccination site: Robinsons Place Imus
Operating hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where to register: Visit the UBE Express vaccine site
For more information, visit the City of Imus Facebook page
Quezon City
As Metro Manila’s most populous city ramps up its vaccination program, Quezon City has partnered with SM City Malls for its first drive-thru vaccine site.
The city, which already has 35 vaccination sites, set up its first drive-thru site at SM Fairview’s parking area recently.
According to Mayor Joy Belmonte, citizens who will be accommodated at the site still have to undergo the standard process—site registration, screening, vaccination, and post-vaccination evaluation where patients will park their cars in designated slots.
The whole process will reportedly take between 10 and 15 minutes.
Only citizens who have pre-registered through the barangay-assisted booking scheme are accommodated.
Here are some things to note for Quezon City's drive-through vaccination:
Vaccination site: SM Fairview
Target categories: A1 (frontline healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities)
Schedule: Will resume on Saturday, May 22
Vaccine brand/s: AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Sinovac
Where to register: Visit the EZ Consult website or through barangay-assisted booking
Banner and thumbnail photos by Michael Varcas/The Philippine STAR