Tarlac State University has opened its Main Campus gymnasium to become the 2nd Mega Vaccination Hub of Tarlac City last July 24, 2021 in response to the Tarlac City Government’s plans for a faster vaccine rollout.
This second vaccination site is the city government’s solution to accommodate the increasing number of citizens who wants to be vaccinated moving the city closer to herd immunity, said City Health Officer Dra. Carmela Go in an interview with the Tarlac City Information Office (CIO).
TSU President Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari responded affirmatively to the City Government’s request to help the community through public service.
“Ang ating masipag na mayor na si City Mayor Angeles ay nag-request nito sa TSU – na magamit ang ating TSU Gym para lubos na mapagsilbihan ang ating mga kababayan dito sa Tarlac City sa kanilang pagbabakuna. At, agaran pong pumayag ang TSU dahil gusto po naming makatulong upang ang mga kababayan natin ay mabakunahan na. In fact, ine-encourage po namin silang magpabakuna,” said President Mallari in a video interview with the CIO.
“At, itong nakaraang Friday ay nag-visit na po sila: in-ocular ang ating gym, tinulungan po natin sila sa ibang logistics, like ‘yung mga table, chairs at iba pang pangangailangan,” President Mallari added.
The TSU Gym has now been segregated into different areas: waiting area, screening area, jabbing area, and post-vaccination area.
Aside from lending the venue and provision of other necessities like tables and chairs, TSU has also provided manpower.
According to the University Physician Dr. Rommel M. Hernandez, nurses from the Medical Services Unit (MSU) has not only lent their services to the local government unit (LGU) of Tarlac City but also to the Provincial Government of Tarlac.
“Iyong sa provincial, matagal na silang nagre-render ng service doon – sa SM vaccination hub. Pero now na dito kasi ‘yung venue, hinati natin yung nursing services. Meron pa din nagke-cater doon, pero binawasan natin to two. ‘Yung karamihan sa kanila andito ngayon sa TSU Gym,” Dr. Hernandez said in an interview with the Office of Public Affairs.
The nurses assigned at the TSU vaccination hub are Ms. Cheryyl Abila, Ms. Mary Gentes Peña, Ms. Rhoda Feliciano, Ms. Marites Lapuz; while Mr. Albert Canlas and Mr. William Salak are on stand-by as first-aiders.
Aside from this, the Human Resource Development and Management Office (HRDMO) under the leadership of Director Marlon C. Dela Cruz has provided five fully vaccinated personnel who are willing to volunteer as encoders to speed up the processing queue.
Dr. Hernandez further shared that extensive internal coordination was done to strengthen the implementation of minimum health protocols. It was done with the help of the VPPQA (Vice President for Planning and Quality Assurance) as Dr. Niño B. Copruz is also the protocol officer; the VPAF (Vice President for Administration and Finance) under Dr. Marlon V. Gamido who provided extra security and other necessary equipment; and the HRDMO for the encoders.
“This is part of our commitment, hindi lang sa TSU kung ‘di pati sa ating city. Ang ine-expect nating magiging output nito is a better promotion of health lalo na doon sa prevention of COVID-19 especially since single dose lang ito [Janssen]. So, as far as compliance is concerned, maganda itong na-avail ng city na single dose jab kasi at least maa-attain natin yung goal natin – this herd immunity within sa city as a whole,” Dr. Hernandez said.
It is expected that around 1,500 Tarlaqueños will be screened and vaccinated each day until July 30, 2021. There are no walk-ins allowed as those who were registered online and via hotline under the A2 (Senior Citizens) and A3 (Persons with comorbidities) priority groups will be receiving a text message as proof of schedule.
As early as 7:00 AM, members from the different LGU agencies are already on site. Doctors, nurses, and officers from Tarlac City Health Office, DOH Tarlac City, as well as barangay health workers are also present. Officers from the City’s Traffic Management Unit were there to help the TSU Civil Security Unit for crowd control, and officers from the City Social Welfare and Development Office were also there to readily assist the PWD and senior citizens.
When asked about whether TSU is ready for an extension of service, Dr. Hernandez replied, “Diretso ‘yung service natin dito as far as the MSU is concerned. Nandoon tayo sa gym hanggang Friday [July 30] to assist the LGU sa vaccination hub na ito. Now, if meron silang request later on to extend, kaya naman natin ‘yon. Meron naman tayong mga safety protocols – in place naman iyon. So, kayang-kaya ni TSU.”
