Some 3,125 healthcare workers in this city have been identified to be the first to avail of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines developed by China’s Sinovac expected to arrive later this week.

Dr. Edwin Miraflor, officer-in-charge of the City Health Office, on Wednesday said the vaccines will be delivered to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital.

“The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 has yet to set the exact date of delivery but it could be within the week,” Miraflor told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

He added that a ceremonial vaccination that will signify the start of the rollout of the local Covid-19 vaccination program will also be held.

The Sinovac vaccines that will be received by the two hospitals in Bacolod are part of the supply allocated to DOH-Western Visayas.

Last Sunday, some 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine donated by China arrived in the country, and on Monday, the government began the rollout of the national Covid-19 vaccination program in various hospitals in Metro Manila.

On Feb. 22, the city government here has made an initial payment of more than PHP31 million to AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc. for the procurement of 650,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the advance payment would ensure the delivery of the vaccines starting the third quarter of the year.

As part of the preparation, the city government will set up a cold room at the Government Center Annex Building and will purchase mobile cold storage units to protect the shelf life of Covid-19 vaccines.

Some 40 vaccination centers will be set up across the city to vaccinate 424,992 individuals, or 68 percent of its total population. (PNA)