The City Government of Valenzuela gears up its protocols for the off-site vaccination set up of private entity-procured vaccines in the City through the passage of Ordinance No. 905, Series of 2021, or the “COVID-19 Vaccination Site Standardization Protocols and Registration Process for Private Establishments”.  

The city ordinance shall ensure efficient and effective collaboration between the government and the private sector in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines which complies with the provisions of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11525, otherwise known as “COVID-19    Vaccination Program Act of 2021”.

One of the main highlights of the ordinance is the setting up and the regulation of an “off-site vaccination”, which shall refer to "vaccination activities conducted in locations other than those officially determined or designated by the City Government".

For the off-site vaccination registration, it is important that the private establishment has a list of eligible vaccine recipients, vaccination workforce master list, implementation plan, cold chain management plan with an accredited cold chain provider, memorandum or agreement or understanding with a licensed health care facility, waste management plan in accordance to DOH Memo. 2021-0031, an emergency plan for Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs), an infection control plan, and an emergency evacuation plan.

They should also submit a duly accomplished application form, a notarized secretary certificate (if applicable), and a notarized affidavit of undertaking.

The Valenzuela COVID-19 Vaccination Site Quality Assurance Team (QAT) will review the submitted documentary requirements during the application process.

Just like the set up of the VCVax COVID-19 Vaccination Centers across Valenzuela City, the private establishment should also meet the standards and guidelines of a vaccination site which include a sufficient venue space to observe physical distancing, appropriate vaccine cold storage, enough power outlets and electrical capacity, and accessible restrooms, to name a few.

Minimum equipment requirements for the Waiting Area, Registration Area, Pre-Vaccination Counselling and Final Consent, Screening Area, Vaccination Area, and Post-Vaccination Monitoring and Surveillance must also be met. To equip the vaccination site with the appropriate workforce, a Vaccination Incident Management Team will also be set up.

Consistent with the VCVax plan at the local level, Valenzuela City still implements standard vaccination cards or passports, screening forms, and ValTrace QR codes.

No charges or fees shall also be imposed on the vaccinees for the services rendered by these off-site facilities identified as vaccination sites. If in case there will be excess vaccines from the private establishment, the City Mayor has the authority to accept vaccine donations through a memorandum of agreement or understanding.

For the City's other economic frontliners, the local government has identified Pasolo Elementary School in Barangay Pasolo, Justice Eliezer Delos Santos National High School in Barangay Ugong and Gen. T. De Leon, and Karuhatan West Elementary School in Barangay Karuhatan as industry vaccination sites. The setting up of off-site vaccination sites in private establishments is expected to speed up the local government’s COVID-19 vaccine deployment which targets an estimate of 50,000 economic frontliners.

As of its latest data dated July 07, 2021, Valenzuela City has administered a total of 228,349 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, where 174,157 received their first dose and 54,192 are now fully vaccinated.

Valenzuela City targets to inoculate 476,000 of its local population.

Ordinance No. 905, Series of 2021, was authored by District 2 Councilor and Committee on Health Chairperson Louie Nolasco and was enacted on July 05, 2021 during the 90^th Regular Session of the 8^th City Council of Valenzuela.