LIST: Where to register for your FREE COVID-19 vaccine in Cebu

The only way for this COVID-19 pandemic to be over is to get vaccinated until we reach herd immunity. The more people who get vaccinated, the faster we can flip over this chapter of our lives and move forward.

If you are given the opportunity to get vaccinated, most especially if you are part of the priority group, don’t waste it. I know so many people who are already eager to get vaccinated because they are scared of the sudden rise of new COVID-19 cases in Cebu but sadly, they’re not a priority. What’s worse is, the Delta variant is more infectious and dangerous.

Given the worsening situation of our country, it’s true that the best COVID-19 vaccine is the first one that is available to you.

To get started, here’s the list of registration links of vaccination sites in Cebu:

• 📍 Cebu City: https://vims.cebucity.gov.ph/page/register
• 📍 Mandaue City: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1C68Yubwjo1yT1mM54iwC-qd1scY_kteqsrw4aOcn9T4/viewform?edit_requested=true
• 📍 Lapu-Lapu City: https://vims.com.ph/lapulapu/vims/Register.aspx
• 📍 Cebu Province: Consult and ask your barangay or LGU about the vaccination program in your area.
• 📍 Project Balik Buhay: https://projectbalikbuhay.com/register.html

Note, walk-ins are not allowed to also avoid influx of people in the area. After registering, wait patiently for the text with your schedule. It usually takes 2-4 weeks or even more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We have also compiled the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from the Department of Health (DOH) about the COVID-19 vaccine.

To ensure the accuracy of information, all details below were taken from the DOH website.

Am I eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

• YES, BUT WITH SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
  • With history of bleeding disorders or currently taking blood thinners
  • With allergy to food, egg, or medicine
  • With history of asthma
• YES, BUT FOR RESCHEDULING:
  • Currently diagnosed with COVID-19 or with symptoms of: fever / chills, fatigue, cough, colds, headache, sore throat, myalgia, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, shortness of breath / difficulty breathing, and rashes
  • Has history of exposure to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in the past 14 days
  • Has received convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 in the past 90 days
  • Women in the first 3 months of pregnancy
  • Has received any other vaccine in the past 14 days
  • Has had attacks, been admitted or changed medications for their co-morbidities in the the past 3 months
  • Hypertensive emergency or blood pressure > 180/120 with symptoms of possible organ damage
• YES, BUT NEEDS CLEARANCE FROM ATTENDING PHYSICIAN / PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER
  • With autoimmune disease
  • With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Cancer patients currently undergoing chemo/radio/immunotherapy
  • Underwent transplant
  • Currently taking steroid medications4
  • Bedridden, in a vegetative state, or poor prognosis with life expectancy less than 6 months
• NO
  • Less than 18 years old
  • Allergy to any vaccine components (e.g. polysorbate, PEG)
  • Severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to first dose of the vaccine

For more details, check the complete list here.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

What you need to know:

• COVID-19 vaccines that are granted with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are considered safe and effective based on the available evidence to date.

• Vaccines are some of the most rigorously tested medical products today, and the COVID-19 vaccines are no different. The fact that the COVID-19 vaccines are available for use less than a year since the virus was discovered was not because corners were cut in the conduct of the clinical trials.

• COVID-19 vaccines cannot make you sick with COVID-19.

• With BIDA (Bawal walang mask, I-sanitize ang mga kamay, Dumistansya ng isang metrong layo, Alamin ang tamang impormasyon) steps and adherence to the minimum public health standards, vaccination is an important way to protect yourself from getting severe COVID-19.

How Vaccines Work

• Vaccines mimic the virus or bacteria that causes disease and triggers the body’s creation of antibodies. These antibodies will provide protection once a person is infected with the actual disease-causing virus or bacteria.

• Vaccines differ in their composition and how they trigger the immune response to create antibodies. These antibodies protect the body from microorganisms and serve as protection once a person gets infected with disease. Vaccines can be inactivated, weakened or killed copies of the whole or part of the virus or bacteria, or genetic product (like mRNA vaccines) that creates protein copies without causing disease.

Possible Side Effects after Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination will protect you from the COVID-19 virus. As with any vaccine, you may experience adverse effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Common adverse effects include:

• tenderness, pain, warmth, redness, itching or swelling on the arm where you got the injection

• Generally feeling unwell

• Feeling tired (fatigue)

• Chills or feeling feverish

• Headache

• Joint pain or muscle ache

These are signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19.

What to do if you experience these adverse effects after vaccination

These adverse effects will usually go away on their own within one to three days. If these do not go away after a few days or seem to be getting worse, consult a healthcare professional.

If you have pain at the injection site or fever, headaches or body aches after vaccination, you can choose to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These will help reduce the above symptoms. If there is swelling at the injection site, you can also use a cold compress.

What to do if you think you’re having a severe reaction to the vaccine

There is a rare chance that the COVID-19 could cause a severe reaction. You should go to your nearest hospital if you experience severe or unusual symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, and tightening of the throat.

Things to remember after getting vaccinated:

Even if the vaccine protects from symptomatic and moderate to severe forms of COVID-19, you should still continue to protect yourself and your family by practicing the BIDA Behaviors:

• Wearing of Mask and Face Shield

• Wash/Sanitize Hands

• Avoid Crowded Places

• Ensure good ventilation at home or place of work

• Maintain 1 Meter Social Distancing

Who are the priority group?

The current COVID-19 vaccines reduce risk of severe disease and risk of death, and are most suited for those with higher risk of exposure and death.

As of July 2021, the priority group are A1, A2, A3, and A4.

Why do we need to have prioritization?

• To reduce mortality
• To preserve the health system capacity of the country

If you are not part of the priority group, you may need to wait as the government is continuing negotiations to ensure adequate vaccine supply for all Filipinos, including those not in the priority groups.

What to bring on the day of vaccination?

If you already got a text for your COVID-19 vaccination schedule, don’t forget to bring the following:

• Face mask and Face shield
• Own alcohol or hand sanitizer (not required but recommended)
• Own ballpen (required in some vaccination sites)
• Valid ID (required in all sites)
• Text or email of vaccination schedule, QR code (required in all sites)

Can I purchase the vaccine from private clinics or pharmacies?

No, you cannot purchase COVID-19 vaccines from private clinics or pharmacies. At present, only the government is duly authorized to procure and administer vaccines. Until a full market authorization is issued by the Philippine FDA, any COVID-19 vaccine should not be sold to the public.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?

COVID-19 vaccines that are granted with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are considered safe and effective based on the available evidence to date.

Are there risks for complications when given the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, like all other vaccines, there are risks of complications BUT SEVERE OR LIFE-THREATENING REACTIONS ARE EXTREMELY RARE. The benefit of protection against severe COVID-19 is greater than the risk. Anyone who will get the vaccine will be properly evaluated and closely monitored by health professionals to further minimize any risk.

What can we do while waiting for the vaccine?

We urge the public to be more vigilant with the information found online. Let us make it a habit to fact check and verify with reliable sources (DOH Facebook page, DOH website, WHO website, PIA website) regarding new information. Continue observing the minimum public health standards to prevent further transmission of the virus.

Disclaimer: To ensure the accuracy of information, all details below were taken from the DOH website.

Help educate those who are scared to get vaccinated, especially those who are close and special to you. Let them talk to other people of their age who got vaccinated and who now have the peace of mind. Tinabangay najud ni ato.

Get vaccinated. Do it not only for yourself, but also for your family, friends, and the community. This is for the common good. Ayaw’g huwata na late na ang tanan.