The city government here is gearing up to administer coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines to younger children starting next month.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. on Thursday said the city has ramped up its logistics, manpower, and resources to protect them from the dreaded virus.

“Handa po ang siyudad sa pagsisimula ng bakuna para sa mga batang may edad lima hanggang labing-isang taon (The city is ready to start the vaccination of children aged five to 11 years old),” Lazatin said in a social media post.

Irish Calaguas, the chief implementer of the city’s vaccination program, said the city government will provide all the needs for the children’s vaccination to ensure their health and welfare.

Reina Manuel, head of the city’s vaccination committee on ways and means, meanwhile, said the city has purchased all the ancillary supplies needed for the vaccination of its targeted population.

While waiting for the guidelines set by the Department of Health for the inoculation of the children, City Health Officer Dr. Verona Guevarra said she is now in coordination with volunteer pediatricians, who would be deployed at the mega vaccination sites.

There were 64 pediatricians who volunteered to assist the city government during the inoculation of children 12-17 years old in November last year.

Meanwhile, the giving of booster shots is now ongoing via the “Ronda Bakuna sa Barangay”.

To date, 353,229 Angeleños are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, while 315,462 have received only the first dose, and 18,316, their booster shots.

As of January 26, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the city is 14,085, of which 903 are active infections.

Those who recovered from the dreaded disease numbered 12,629 while 526 died. (PNA)