People eager to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the 15-day lockdown in Metro Manila thronged vaccination sites before dawn on Thursday, defying curfew even as delivery of the jabs will continue throughout the ECQ.
In Manila, the local government said it would stop accommodating individuals looking to secure a slot for vaccination at Lucky Chinatown Mall, Robinsons Place Manila, and SM Manila as early as 3:30 a.m. due to long queues. Police estimated that up to 10,000 people were in line at SM San Lazaro, while around 5,000 were waiting in line at SM Manila, said Manila PIO Director Julius Leonen.
The city's public information office also said it cancelled the scheduled vaccination at SM San Lazaro on Thursday as per mall management's request. It said earlier that the city allocated 2,500 first doses of vaccines for A1 to A5 priority groups for that mall.
In an ABS-CBN News report, those who were in line said they were worried they couldn't get a quarantine pass without vaccines.
In Las Piñas, netizen Hurry Pauner warned other residents of the queue for vaccination at the Las Piñas Doctors Hospital, where 600 vaccine doses are alloted for those under A1 to A5 priority group.
As early as 3 a.m. Thursday, the line crossed the street into a nearby subdivision, where those waiting to get a slot were standing shoulder to shoulder, he told reportr.
Several news outlets also reported long lines of people waiting for a slot at SM Southmall as early as 2 a.m. Thursday despite the curfew.
The local government reminded residents not to line up for vaccination during curfew, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. until Aug. 5. It also said vaccination will continue during ECQ.