The city government is setting up 34 vaccination sites including two in the vaccination drive this week to expedite the inoculation of residents against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The first of the two-day grand vaccination drive started on Monday, and another one on Friday.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who chairs the Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF), said these vaccination sites are being opened simultaneously to cater to all eligible yet unvaccinated Bacolodnons.

“You know how important vaccines are. Most of those in the hospitals today are the unvaccinated. Please help us educate and encourage others to get vaccinated, especially your family members,” Leonardia said.

The vaccination centers are located in some 22 barangays and two cluster areas, as well as in six shopping malls across the city.

Two other locations are Jollibee East Branch and Ceres North Terminal.

Data of the EOC-TF showed that from September 1 to 24, Bacolod logged 112 deaths of patients manifesting severe symptoms. A total of 99 of them were unvaccinated.

City administrator Em Ang, concurrent EOC-TF executive director, said they continue to campaign for vaccination as many studies show that vaccines are “effective in preventing Covid-19 hospitalization and deaths.”

“The intensified vaccination campaign in Bacolod is geared towards achieving herd immunity,” she said.

Aside from setting up vaccination sites, the city government has also initiated the VAX-i mobile vaccination by deploying five buses around the city; onsite and graveyard/night-shift vaccination for workers of business process outsourcing firms; and drive-through vaccination.

As of September 23, some 192,774 Bacolod residents have been administered the Covid-19 jabs, of which 133,458 are now fully vaccinated. (PNA)