The City College of San Fernando, Pampanga (CCSFP), with the support of the City Health Office (CHO) started on Wednesday the inoculation of its students from all levels against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

CCSFP president Gloria Victoria-Bañas said the move is part of their preparation for the possible conduct of limited face-to-face classes.

“Maliban sa mga iba nating plano sa aspeto ng paraan ng pagtuturo at paggamit ng pasilidad, ay ang pagbabakuna sa mga estudyante upang masiguro nating walang panganib sa oras na papasok sila (Except from other plans in the aspects of teaching and use of facilities, is the vaccination of the students to ensure there is no danger by the time they come to school),” she said in an official social media account post.

Victoria-Bañas added all CCSFP officials, faculty members, non-teaching staff, and security and utility personnel have been fully vaccinated.

In October, CCSFP has also conducted vaccinations for students from the fourth level who are attending their internship programs.

Amid the pandemic, the CCSFP continuously delivers blended learning for its students through modular and online-based materials as it still awaits the guidelines for in-person classes from the higher institution.

These efforts were even recognized by CHED in June 2021 as it conferred the “Best Response in Mitigating the Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic (Rank 2)” and “Best Professional Organization for Association of Local Colleges and Universities in Region 3 (Rank 3)” to the college.

For the academic year 2021-2022, CCSFP has over 800 enrolled students and almost 90 percent of this population signified their desire to be vaccinated.

Victoria-Bañas likewise said they are continuously conducting discussions with students and parents who remain to be hesitant to be vaccinated.

City Health Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Carlos Mercado, said apart from CCSFP students, the vaccination team has also been inoculating students 18 years old and above since the start of the drive.

The CHO will always be open to accommodate students who wish to be vaccinated, as long as they meet the eligibility, Mercado added.

To date, the city government has vaccinated a total of 178,544 individuals for the first dose and fully-vaccinated 132,203 other residents.

These figures represent 73.75 percent and 54.6 percent, respectively, of their target eligible population of 242,102. (PNA)