The city government started Monday the two-day vaccination for its senior citizens against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Some 450 senior citizens from four barangays received their first shots of Sinovac vaccines in three designated vaccination sites — the Father Saturnino Urios University Gym, the SM City, and Robinson’s Place.

Barangays Doongan, Libertad, Lemon, and Buhangin sent 150 senior citizens each to their designated inoculation sites that were facilitated by the barangay councils, the Butuan City Health Office, and the Department of Health in Caraga Region (DOH-13).

“Another batch of 150 seniors each from the four barangays will be vaccinated on Tuesday,” Michiko De Jesus of the City Information Office told the Philippine News Agency.

De Jesus said nearly 1,000 senior citizens are expected to be inoculated for the two-day vaccination activity.

As of Monday, a total of 21,060 senior citizens from the different barangays here have already pre-registered for the Covid-19 vaccination.

Barangay Doongan Chairperson Gilberto Enriquez said around 930 senior citizens have already registered for the vaccination.

“After this two-day vaccination, we will wait for the next round but we are still open for the registration of those senior citizens who have not yet registered at the barangay,” Enriquez said.

He also lauded the continuing vaccination program of the Duterte administration, saying the government is doing its best to fight the pandemic.

“All the instrumentalities of the government are now working, including in our level at the barangays. We hope that we can get out from this pandemic the soonest,” Enriquez said.

Among the senior citizens inoculated on Monday was Amelita Cagorol, 60, a resident of Barangay Doongan.

Cagorol thanked the government for ensuring the protection of senior citizens against Covid-19 through the vaccination program.

“I immediately went to our barangay last month to be registered for the vaccination. I decided to get myself vaccinated after I heard of the vaccination program of the government. This program is important, especially for us senior citizens as the risk of Covid-19 is still here,” she said.

As of May 1, Butuan City has a total of 3,425 Covid-19 cases with 3,099 recoveries, 240 remaining active cases, and 86 recorded deaths. (PNA)