CLARK FREEPORT ZONE (PIA) -- A total of 100 economic frontliners received their first dose of COVID-19 jabs as Clark Development Corporation (CDC) launched its vaccination program. 

CDC President and CEO Manuel Gaerlan said the inoculation program for the A4 priority workers was made possible in partnership with the national government, local government units, and other partner agencies. 

“We [CDC] would like to thank the National Task Force Against COVID-19, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and the city government of Mabalacat for their efforts to speed up the facilitation of the vaccination activity here, as this also corresponds to the immunization program instigated by Mabalacat City,” he said. 

Gaerlan added that the 100 vaccinees make up the first batch of priority workers, adding that more will be inoculated in the coming days based on scheduling and arrival of vaccines.

For her part, CDC Health and Sanitation Division Manager Clemencita Dobles explained that the inoculation process consists of five steps including registration, counseling, health evaluation, vaccination, and monitoring. 

“Monitoring will take 15 to 30 minutes to see whether any side effects occur after the vaccine was injected. Once certified and validated by the health care provider assigned to the monitoring station, inoculated individuals will be allowed to leave the monitoring area,” she said.

Dobles also assured that ambulance and other ancillary health personnel are on standby in case of an emergency at the immunization site.

Since May 2021, CDC has been coordinating with the national and local government for the said immunization program. 

It has also been active in enlisting Clark locators, employees, and residents, who would like to be vaccinated to prevent further transmission of the virus in the workplace and achieve herd immunity within the Freeport. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)