I had registered on the Cebu City VIMS site (recently rebranded to PaBakunaTa.com but redirects to same VIMS link) on May 2021.
Waiting for my Schedule
By August 2021 I still did not get my text from the Cebu City Vax and I was anxious and testy at this point. I am a healthy working adult, A4 category, and I wanted to be fair and not jump the priority queue. But after hearing that other cities had a 3 week wait after registering, you can imagine how frustrated I was at this point.
By early August the Cebu City Public Information Office (CCPIO) had released a Google form for those who registered in May that still didn't get their schedules, and it was closed when I clicked the link 20 mins after it was posted. Added frustration. Reading through the comments I saw that there were people who registered in June and July that already got their schedules, and got even more lagot. I texted and the vaccination hotline numbers, and got zero replies. I sent a messenger to the CCPIO and was left unread. Pungot na kaayo ko. When my brothers got their schedules on August 2nd and 3rd week respectively, I was expecting mine to come since we registered minutes apart from each other. Wa jud intawn niabot.
So on August 3rd week, day of my older brother's schedule via PBB at SM Seaside, I decided I would take a chance to walk-in. I knew I couldn't get into the PBB vaxx site since they are allocated to a specific master list of pre-registered employees, I took the chance because there was a Resbakuna site at the same mall. I was so anxious they would turn me away since at this point walk-ins were still not explicitly allowed (around the end of MECQ) or stated as possible in the CCPIO communications.
Luckily they accommodated me!!
Resbakuna Sites Steps
Here's what you can expect:
- People with schedules/texts from Cebu City Vaxx are prioritized.
- Those walking-in are asked to wait in a line outside the entrance of Cube wing (forgive me if sayup, guard will guide you). I walked in via the Mountain View wing entrance and went down to the basement parking area to access Cube wing. My line was essentially by the guard in the basement entrance but it was not uncomfortable of stuffy since the parking area was sparsely used.
- Walk-ins are allowed up too the resbakunate by batch when there is an "opening," meaning a number of scheduled people did not show up.
- Once inside you are brought to a holding area where a community worker checks your eligibility documents (A4 bring company ID and certificate of employment, A3 bring medical certificates, your house help can bring certificates of employment signed by you).
- You are then brought to Step 1 where they check if you are registered on VIMS, have valid eligibility docs, and given the health declaration forms to input and sign.
- Step 2 brings you to the encoding and printing of your vaccine card
- Step 3 brings you to heart rate and blood pressure check
- Step 4 brings you to doctor's consultation
- Step 5 brings you to actual vaccination
- Step 6 brings you to a 15-30 mins side effects waiting area where you also have a second blood pressure check. Note that the main check at this stage is for anaphylaxis or severe allergy to the vaccine that usually appears in 15 mins. Remember that this and all other reactions can be treated with quick and correct intervention. There are doctors and medicines in this area for that reason.
- If you have no untoward reactions you are done!
When you get your second shot, you can expect the same steps with a slight variation. Step 2 becomes the second to the last step (becomes some form of allergy encoding).
Vaccine Experience
For both jabs, I was done in approximately 45 minutes. SM Seaside is spacious, so I felt safe and comfortable the entire time. They also have an efficient process with enough community workers guiding/policing you through every step. And I also had the kindest nurses there. I was really nervous about getting the jab because of a childhood illness that's in remission. They noticed and they spoke with reassurance and kindness to me and others who had similar fears.
In fact I was so nervous that my heart-rate was always high coming into Step 3. I had to use soothing techniques like deep breathing and singing to myself to get it down. BP was always normal at this Step. On Step 6 my BP always shoots up as well. During my first jab I was at the threshold 180/120 and had to take a little pill to thin my blood. During the second jab it went to 140 (forgot the over what) and nurse said this may really be my body's reaction to the vaccine. Since I did not reach the threshold I was allowed to go without further medical intervention.
I heard words I never knew I needed in my life at SM Seaside: "Congratulations, you are fully vaccinated. Please laminate your card." The mental relief I got getting vaxxed was worth the fears. I was feeling helpless waiting for the vaccine and losing hope that life can go back to some semblance of normality. Getting the vaccine has lifted a mental weight. I will still be cautious but the hope for better days is stronger.
If You Want to Walk-in
If you are considering walking-in for your vaccine in Cebu, please check CCPIO for the updated vaccine sites. There are a lot of vaccines available now, and chances are you will be accommodated.
We've had family members walk-in to the UC Banilad site and it was also a good experience. Area is open so you'll also feel safe.
