Highlights
LGUs can conduct communication campaigns specifically targeted to vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens to educate them about COVID-19.
Overview
An orientation of COVID-19 vaccination is considered an opportunity by the Senior Citizens to understand the importance of vaccination and the safety of the vaccines.
The City Government of Zamboanga headed by the Public Information Office and City Health Office in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency conducted information sessions on the COVID-19 vaccination program to local sectors of senior citizens; them, as being one of the top priority of the vaccination program.
“We are here to deliver the right information to the public and to answer their doubts with the COVID-19 vaccines,” said Public Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias highlighting that information is vital to be able to encourage the people to accept the vaccines.
One of the participants from the Senior Citizens Association Estrella Manlangit said that at first she is in doubt of the COVID-19 vaccines because of her age and health concerns but after the information session with them, her fear and doubt were replaced with confidence of accepting the vaccines.
Further, Ramon Potonggo, 68 years old, also a member of the Senior Citizen Association said that he wants to be vaccinated because he considers this as his contribution to his family, his community and the nation to fight COVID-19.
Aside from the senior citizen sector, barangay officials were also part of the orientation and they committed to support the vaccination program.
“Information is very important not only to us barangay officials, but to everyone. This will enlighten their minds for them to have more knowledge with the vaccination,” Roel Cabugza, Barangay Chairperson of Malagutay Zamboanga City said.
Meanwhile, the second batch of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Zamboanga City International Airport and were immediately delivered to the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office Cold Storage Facility. The batch consists of 10,000 vials of Sinovac and 10,000 vials of AstraZeneca. According to DOH IX Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes, the new batch of vaccines will still be allocated for the health workers in Zamboanga Peninsula.
