People will be more confident in getting coronavirus vaccines now that the government has decided to include local executives in high-risk areas in the list of priority groups to be vaccinated, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Rubiano said Monday.
Rubiano, who was vaccinated with the AstraZeneca jab on Monday at T. Paez Elementary School, said she was grateful to President Rodrigo Duterte for his wisdom in seeing the importance of having local chief executives inoculated against the virus.
The vaccination for senior citizens started last week using the excess AstraZeneca left intended for elder front liners.
Rubiano, who has recovered from COVID-19, said the government's decision will also help encourage their constituents to follow their lead since they know their leaders have full confidence in the efficacy of the vaccines.
The city government started its vaccination campaign last Tuesday and lined up its schedule for the week.
For Monday, vaccination for those under the category of A3 and adults with comorbidities is scheduled from 8am to 4pm at Corazon Aquino Elementary School for residents of Barangays 183, 191-201.
Residents of Barangays 63-75, 80-100, 106-107 113-119, 136-145 will be vaccinated at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School.
For Tuesday and Wednesday, which will also be conducted from 8am to 4pm, the vaccination will be held at Andres Elementary School for residents of Zones 1-15 while those from Zones 16 -20 will be at Corazon Aquino Elementary School.
Mayor Rubiano reminded that all residents who might want to be inoculated will have to bring a medical certificate, maintenance prescription, or medical clearance.
To recall, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases earlier proposed to have mayors and governors from
high-risk areas be injected with COVID-19 vaccines which was immediately approved by President Duterte himself.
Aside from local chief executives from Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal — collectively known as "NCR Plus", also given priorities were leaders from Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The rest of the local chief executives from other areas may then have their turn once sufficient vaccine supply is ensured.