There are health workers in Iloilo City who have signified their willingness to be inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
“Ginpabalo ko man kay vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. nga may ari kita nga mga health worker sa mga private hospitals nga willing man nga magbaton sina (China-made vaccines) kon may ara sila nga ipadala,” said Treñas.
Health workers, according to the mayor, are among the priority recipients of COVID-19 shots, along with senior citizens and those with comorbidities.
On Monday, March 1, some government officials and medical frontliners in Metro Manila had themselves inoculated against COVID-19 to kick off the vaccination program.
The country received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines donated the Chinese government on Sunday, Feb. 28.
Treñas said the city government is prepared to conduct inoculation activities. “May ara na kita na-identify nga vaccination centers kag nafinalize na ina naton.”
The mayor is expecting 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, which will cover 300,000 or 60% of the city’s population, in July this year.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. also assured the province’s preparedness to receive the vaccines and implement the vaccination program.
“Because of the simulation exercises that we already executed, bal-an na namon kun ano ang mga adjustments. We are ready for the [COVID-19] vaccine especially that we have a plan. Ang waay lang naton nabal-an kun san-o maabot diri sa aton ang vaccine,” he said.IMT
