THE Bacolod Covid-19 vaccination (Covac) Council already identified 22 vaccination centers in Bacolod City.
Councilor Renecito Novero, member of Covac Council, bared this Tuesday, January 12, after they held a meeting Monday with members of Covac at the Bacolod Government Center for the preparation of the vaccination centers once the vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is available in the city.
Novero said the lists of the proposed vaccination centers will be submitted to Mayor Evelio Leonardia for its approval.
"We will use the health centers in various barangays that are located near the public school gymnasiums," he said.
These include the health centers at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School (ABES), Education and Training Education School (ETCS), Lopez Jaena, Mabini; Barangays Alangilan, Alijis, Banago, Bata, Cabug, Estefania, Felisa, Granada, Mandalagan, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang-Airport, Sum-ag, Taculing, Villamonte and Vista-Alegre.
Novero said Bacolod City has a total of 29 health centers, but for now, they will occupy the 22 identified vaccination centers once the vaccines against Covid-19 are available.
"Maybe, we can add more areas for the vaccination program because we need a big space. We also need to put up holding areas for the observance of health protocols," he said.
He added the vaccination centers will be managed by the City Health Office (CHO) with two doctors and about 10 nurses and midwives each center.
Novero noted it was also proposed to augment the medical students, who will also undergo training for the vaccination program, to help the medical frontliners.
Covac also proposed to provide refrigerating unit in every vaccination center as well as generators to preserve the vaccines.
The City Government earlier allotted a total of P300 million for the advance purchase of the vaccines.
On January 7, Leonardia signed the multilateral and confidentiality agreement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. for the advance purchase of the vaccines.
On Friday, the Bacolod City Council also approved the request of Leonardia for authority, and on continuing basis, to enter into contract with any pharmaceutical company legally operating in the country for the availment of Covid-19 vaccines duly approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration as acceptable for use by the city's residents.