BACOLOR Mayor Eduardo “Diman” Datu said some P5 million had been earmarked for the purchase of vaccines for his town if an approved vaccine will be made available in the country.
Datu said the initial purchase would be used to inoculate frontliners in the town like police, government workers, teachers and health personnel.
The funds will be taken from realigned budgets and would be used for the first set of immunization jabs in the town for frontliners and essential workers.
The town is also looking at providing the first set of vaccinations for senior citizens and those at risk once a vaccine is available for purchase.
Datu said even with a vaccine in place, minimum health protocols should still be in place and observed to ensure no spikes in infections would hinder the full implementation of inoculation.
Malacañang earlier lauded the initiatives of LGUs for their vaccination programs.
It reminded local chief executives that the procurement of vaccines is done through tripartite agreements with the national government and pharmaceutical companies.
As the supply of Covid-19 vaccines has yet to arrive in the Philippines, infectious disease specialist Dr. Bryan Albert Lim said it is important for LGUs to focus on the preparations for the transportation of the vaccine, census on who will administer the vaccination, and a plan on how to monitor the vaccinated persons for adverse effects.