Daven Tamayo

Fear drives some people to queue ahead for free anti-rabies vaccine

Article (news)

Izzy Lee

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Some people began lining up as early as Wednesday afternoon to secure a slot for Thursday’s free anti-rabies vaccination at Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City.Among them was 54-year-old Marilou Noguerra, who was already waiting outside the barangay&#x27;s Animal Bite Center by 4:30 p.m., hoping to get vaccinated the following day.Noguerra said she had already gone to the center twice but failed to make it past the cut-off, as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis.&quot;Pangatlo ko na po &#x27;to, inagahan ko kasi ang hirap. Kailangan po talaga pumila ng maaga para makakuha ng slot, tapos ang mahal po ng vaccine,&quot; she said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/6/2/doh-rabies-cases-in-2025-down-32-percent-from-last-year-1649">DOH: Rabies cases in 2025 down 32 percent from last year</a></div>She decided to go to the center for vaccination after her pet dog licked a wound on her hand. Her concern grew after seeing a viral social media post about a man from Cabuyao, Laguna who died after a dog bite.&quot;Nakakatakot kasi may bata na namatay, tapos meron akong napanuod na lalake na isang beses lang po siya nagpa-vaccine dahil po sa mahal,&quot; she added.Fear also drove Diana Herrera to line up early for the free anti-rabies vaccine for her two children, who were scratched by their pet cat.&quot;Natakot ako lalo na mga binata at dalaga &#x27;yung mga anak ko. Ayokong maranasan &#x27;yung naranasan na magdalamhati ako. Mas maganda &#x27;yung gawin na kesa huli na ang lahat,&quot; Herrera said.&quot;Kung pipila siguro ako ng alas sais, hindi na ako mabibigyan ng numero nila, kasi may limit yung number nila,&quot; she added.According to the security guard at the barangay health center, numbers are handed out to those in line as early as 4:30 a.m. to secure a vaccination slot.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/5/29/tv-patrol-fur-parents-may-malaking-responsibilidad-sa-anti-rabies-act-2002">TV PATROL: &#x27;Fur parents&#x27; may malaking responsibilidad sa Anti-Rabies Act</a></div>He said they began noticing an increase in the number of people seeking anti-rabies vaccines this May, with daily turnout sometimes reaching up to 400—double the usual 200.

Some people began lining up as early as Wednesday afternoon to secure a slot for Thursday’s free anti-rabies vaccination at Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

Some people began lining up as early as Wednesday afternoon to secure a slot for Thursday’s free anti-rabies vaccination at Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City.