BACOLOD City – With a “safe and effective” coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine expected to be available in the country soon, the city government formed a body tasked to plan a vaccination roadmap.
This will prepare Bacolod to implement and manage the massive health program, according to Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
In Executive Order 83 issued on Dec. 22, the mayor named the composition of the Bacolod City COVID-19 Vaccination (CoVac) Council.
Leonardia designated himself as chairperson; Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, vice chairperson; and city administrator Em Ang, council coordinator.
Secretary Carlito Galvez, the country’s vaccine czar, earlier named Bacolod as among the priority areas for the National Vaccination Program.
According to Leonardia, the CoVac Council will plan, supervise and implement programs and activities related to the city’s COVID-19 vaccination roadmap. The goal is to have the widest and most realistic vaccination coverage possible.
It will also closely coordinate and integrate with the National Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Health, Department of Budget and Management, the major leagues of local government officials, and other government and non-government instrumentalities to ensure that health and safety standards are observed.
The CoVac Council will also profile and identify members of priority sectors for COVID-19 vaccination; select and acquire the vaccine or vaccines authorized for use in the Philippines in coordination with the national government; develop and administer a system for registering beneficiaries, administering and tracking the distribution of doses, and monitoring of any adverse events following immunization; and select and develop vaccination centers in suitable places within the city.
The CoVac Council will also ensure availability of suitable cold storage facilities for the vaccine, including mobile cold storage units to the extent feasible; develop and strengthen the supply chain for the vaccine; and ensure the availability of sufficient manpower to distribute and administer the vaccine, including medical and non-medical private sector volunteers wherever necessary.
The body will assist in obtaining any necessary funding for acquisition of the vaccine through any lawful source; and develop an information campaign to achieve public acceptance of the vaccine and awareness of its benefits.
Based on the Dec. 27 records of the City Health Office, Bacolod City had a total of 5,588 confirmed COVID-19 cases – 82 of which were active cases, 5,333 recovered and 173 dead. (With PNA/PN)
