THE local government of Zamboanga City is preparing at least 15 facilities, mostly hospitals and schools, to serve as coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination centers in this city.

the listing of priority beneficiaries and information drive on the importance of vaccination are ongoing to increase public awareness and acceptance of receiving the vaccines.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said it is in compliance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte allowing the use of public and private schools, hospitals and barangay Centers as vaccination centers.

Salazar said additional sites have yet to be identified and prepared as vaccination centers considering that the 15 identified facilities may not be enough to accommodate the number of priority beneficiaries.

She said the city government has initially identified some 205,000 residents as priority beneficiaries of the vaccines.

Salazar said the city government is awaiting for the delivery of some 410,000 doses of British-made AstraZeneca vaccines intended for the priority and vulnerable sector, such as medical frontliners, emergency responders, senior citizens, among others. (SunStar Zamboanga)