KALIBO, Aklan – Public schools, auditoriums and churches here may be utilized as vaccination sites once the vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) become available, according to Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Augusto Tolentino.
He urged the Department of Education – Division of Aklan and the Diocese of Kalibo to allow health authorities to use their facilities for the vaccine rollout.
The local government of Kalibo allotted P50 million for vaccine procurement. Last month it submitted a letter of intent to pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
“We call on all residents to support public health measures. Get vaccinated. To better distribute the vaccines, the opening of vaccination sites is important in our efforts to administer doses to people,” Tolentino said.
Churches, auditoriums and classrooms in Kalibo may be converted into inoculation sites, he suggested, citing their good location and ample space to accommodate lots of people.
Tolentino is hoping these partnerships other than hospitals will reach vulnerable populations and underserved communities.
The councilor also urged barangay captains to identify the priority recipients of COVID-19 vaccines.
For its part, the provincial government of Aklan targets to immunize up to 70 percent of its population against the coronavirus.
As of Jan. 31, Aklan had 60 active COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths.
It recorded 620 since the pandemic was declare din March last year. Over 500 cases have recovered./PN
