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'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.

"Pangatlo ko na po 'to, inagahan ko kasi ang hirap. Kailangan po talaga pumila ng maaga para makakuha ng slot, tapos ang mahal po ng vaccine," she said.

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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.

"Nakakatakot kasi may bata na namatay, tapos meron akong napanuod na lalake na isang beses lang po siya nagpa-vaccine dahil po sa mahal," 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.

"Natakot ako lalo na mga binata at dalaga 'yung mga anak ko. Ayokong maranasan 'yung naranasan na magdalamhati ako. Mas maganda 'yung gawin na kesa huli na ang lahat," Herrera said.

"Kung pipila siguro ako ng alas sais, hindi na ako mabibigyan ng numero nila, kasi may limit yung number nila," 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.

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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.