A healthcare worker prepares a Pfizer coronavirus disease vaccination in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 7, 2021. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
“We are planning to hold a simulation as part of our ongoing preparations for the COVID-19 vaccination program,” said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson of DOH-7,“We are really busy preparing for the rollout of the vaccines. But before we can actually do so, we have to iron out everything,” she added.
“We are aware of the existence of people who feared getting vaccines because of unfounded claims from social media and other sources. And it’s one of our biggest challenges in order for the vaccination to be successful,” said Linsalata in a mix of English and Cebuano. “Why do we have to make such huge preparations for the COVID vaccine unlike other vaccines? It’s because of its magnitude. We have to simultaneously vaccinate a large number of individuals,” she added.The city government has allocated P500 million in their 2021 budget to be spent on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
However, Loreche said they have yet to receive official communication, timeline, and guidelines from higher-ups on this development.