CITY OF NAGA — Following the city government’s announcement that it has set aside P50 million for the purchase of AstraZeneca vaccines, Mayor Nelson Legacion said the initial amount will cover at least 37% of the city’s population, with the vaccination to start in the latter half of 2021.
Frank Mendoza, Naga City administrator said the local government will follow the concept set by vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez showing it will take 75% to 80% of the population to be vaccinated to attain herd immunity against COVID-19.
Mendoza said the local government has targeted 37% of the population or over 200, 000 residents for the first batch of the inoculation consisting primarily of medical and other frontliners, senior citizens and those belonging to other susceptible age brackets.
Another batch of AstraZeneca vaccines will be acquired by the local government by 2022 to complete the vaccination for at least 64% of the population in the same year.
The city government has also enjoined the private sector to be involved in the city’s vaccination program. The Naga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has expressed interest in the vaccination of employees in the local business sector.
Mendoza said the city government may resort to acquisition of a loan to complete the vaccination program until 2022. However, the city government hopes national government aid may help the city complete the vaccination by 2022, or within a three-year period.
Legacion said the city government chose AstraZeneca vaccines for three reasons: first is the affordable price at P 610 for two dosage of shots of the vaccine; its 90% efficacy rate; and the company making AstraZeneca has established a credible reputation based in the United Kingdom.
The mayor added that the first batch will be those from the 30-year-old and above age bracket, as many of the recent COVID-19 belonged to the said age group. By SONNY SALES
