The city government here is laying down plans on vaccinating the city’s over 250,000 residents against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a press briefing late Tuesday, Mayor Alfred Romualdez said they are closely coordinating with the national government on the procurement of vaccines and assured the city has enough funds for it.

“Money is not an issue here yet. Congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and I can work together. Our concern now is how to bring the vaccines to Tacloban and store it properly. We cannot purchase directly as we have to go through a tripartite agreement with the national government,” he said.

The brand of the vaccine will depend on what is available and what is approved by the national government based on a tripartite agreement, according to the mayor.

City health officer Gloria Fabrigas said the city is initially eyeing to administer vaccines to about 89,000 residents, representing more than 30 percent of the city’s population.

“We have been training vaccinators from the city’s 15 health facilities. The plan is to only provide 75 to 100 doses of vaccines daily since we have to monitor each recipient,” Fabrigas told reporters.

Priority to get vaccinated are health workers, front-liners from the national government agencies, senior citizens, and uniformed personnel. Those who will get the vaccines must be included in the master list with assigned QR codes each.

As of Jan. 19, the city has recorded 1,558 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 1,390 recoveries and 25 deaths. (PNA)