At least 7,500 health care workers in the city are set to receive the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines allocated by the national government during the initial nationwide rollout.

In a statement Wednesday, the City Information Office said Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has received a message about the impending arrival of 15,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines allotted for the city’s health care workers.

“What we’re doing now is we are preparing for the 15,000 doses for 7,500 individuals coming from the list of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). And since 7,500 is more than the number of personnel of SPMC, we are also asking private hospitals” to include health care personnel who are assigned in Covid-19 wards be included in the list, Mayor Sara was quoted as saying.

Based on the national government guidelines identifying the priority groups for vaccination, Mayor Sara pointed out that the first batch of doses would not be enough to cover all those in priority 1A, which include all personnel of Covid-19 dedicated referral hospitals.

She said the city’s priority list covering 500,000 persons already covers the five priority groups.

“With 7,500 individuals, we will still be short of vaccines for the health care workers after the first 7,500. Let’s pray that after the first batch, more tranches of vaccines from the national government will follow,” Duterte said.

This city has between 12,000 to 13,000 health care workers working at SPMC and private hospitals. The estimated number does not include those working in rehabilitation and dialysis centers and those at the City Health Office. (PNA)