VACCINATION FOR ALL; Iloilo City to open vaccination to all sectors starting August

ILOILO City – The city government will open vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to all sectors starting August.

According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, the city will use the first batch the AstraZeneca vaccines the city government purchased “kay ti waay ‘na ‘ya conditionalities.”

He also clarified that vaccines from the national government would be administered according to the guidelines it earlier set.

The city will start vaccinating those aged 18 years old and above using the vaccine orders in a bid to attain herd immunity. The city has to vaccinate 70 percent or 450,000 of its population to achieve this.

So far, almost 14 percent of total target population in Iloilo City has been fully vaccinated, while some 29 percent had their first dose.

Vaccine roll out continues in mega vaccination and barangay sites.

To note, the city purchased a total of 670, 000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. Some 18,000 doses were delivered last week.

“We also have to understand nga mga Ilonggo, ila man ‘na kwarta gin-usar ta magbakal sini so we try to give them protection as much as possible,” Treñas stressed.

Meanwhile, Treñas emphasized that the vaccination for all in August must adhere to the social distancing protocols.

Those who will get vaccinated have to pre-register.

“We cannot allow crowding,” Treñas emphasized.

The city mayor said the city will come up with guidelines or protocols on how to ensure social distancing during the mass vaccination.

“Gina-work out naton kon ano aton pagsulondan. Indi lang ‘ta gusto nga basi magdinaguso ang tawo like (what happened) in Bacolod,” said Treñas.

Early on Monday, priority residents flocked to a mall inoculation venue in Bacolod City. Since then, walk-in vaccinations for seniors, persons with comorbidities and overseas Filipino workers are no longer allowed./PN