Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Monday said they will do more simulation exercises for a smoother flow of implementation during the actual coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination in the city.

“Expect more simulation activities in other types of settings para unti-unti ma-perfect natin (so that we can slowly perfect it),” Magalong said during the Covid-19 vaccination simulation activity held at the University of Baguio gymnasium.

The different hospitals in the city — the Department of Health (DOH)-managed Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC, church-run Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital, Saint Louis University Hospital of the Sacred Heart, and the private hospital Pines City Doctors Hospital will also have their simulation activities within the week.

The city will also have other simulation activities in other venues that present different situations.

Magalong said that simulation is done to see what can be improved and what more is needed to be done so that there will be a smoother flow of implementation during the actual activity.

“There is no such thing as perfect simulation exercise, that is why we practice,” the mayor said.

He said that learning from the mistakes during the practice will give the implementer the confidence to manage issues.

Need to be improved

Dr. Anachris Kilakil of the regional vaccination operations center (VOC), who raised observations after the simulation, said the city has to have a dedicated area for the differently-abled persons who are scheduled to be vaccinated.

There should also be persons dedicated to tell the patients when to return for the second shot and provide the contact number in case of a post-vaccination adverse effect.

Kilakil lauded the city and the implementer for a smooth simulation activity.

The presence of crowd control is also important which the city included in its plan.

City Administrator Engr. Bonifacio dela Peña, who is also among the observers, said there might be a need to add more space to avoid long queues considering that patients may have to stay for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

The simulation activity demonstrated the step-by-step process and how the vaccine will reach the recipient. It was done starting from the time the city government received the Covid-19 vaccines from the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 thru the Department of Health and stored in the city’s storage facility at the Health Services Office up until the actual vaccination. (PNA)