Clark’s Old Airport Is Being Eyed As A Vaccine Hub, Here’s Why

Now that various types of vaccines are making their way to the Philippines, local governments from different areas in the country are coming up with ways to conduct smooth vaccination programs. This includes creating an efficient and well-structured vaccination hub. To help vaccination efforts, a vaccine hub at Clark’s old airport terminal is also eyed.

Not only is the old terminal spacious, but it is also accessible to locators with cold storages fit for storing COVID-19 vaccine doses. Officials see plenty more reasons why a vaccine hub at Clark’s old airport is a worthy project; read below and find out what these are.

Clark International Airport’s private sector operator Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp. announced that a new vaccination hub can rise within the old airport terminal. LIPAD Corp. President Bi Yong Chungunco said that they offered to transform the old terminal to a mass vaccination center, including its services to make the process swift and flawless. He added that having the Clark International Airport facility as a vaccine hub with a COVID-19 vaccination center right next to it seems like an ideal setup.

LIPAD Corporate Communications Manager Teri Flores mentioned that the proposal is already “on the table” and they are just waiting for the national government, local government units, and private sector’s responses. Given the limited passenger traffic, the initiative can take place anytime soon.

With a total floor area of 25,000 square meters, the old terminal is capable of handling over 10,000 patients a day. It can also accept numerous aircrafts carrying vaccine doses and is located near three locators which are equipped with cold storage facilities of up to -20 degrees.

Having the old terminal as a vaccination hub could provide efficient operations: when the vaccine doses arrive, they can easily be put in cold storage in less than five minutes. When people need vaccines, the doses can arrive in the vaccination center in five minutes. The move will also be seamless as this will require minimum logistics requirements.

Meanwhile, the new Clark International Airport terminal building, whose interiors are currently under construction, is set to operate by July 2021 for domestic operations. It can accommodate up to 8.2 million passengers a year and feature contactless passenger solutions. Various guidelines including a “silent air policy” will be implemented in the airport, eliminating the calls for boarding and departures except for airport emergencies. The new terminal will offer smooth and easy processes for a less-hassle and stress-free travel experience.

Visit Yoorekka to see information on how to register for a vaccine shot and the vaccines available in the Philippines.