Health workers in the City of Manila who are 60 years old and above were given COVID-19 vaccines made by British-Swedish bio-pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca at the Ospital ng Maynila on Tuesday, March 9.
The Manila city government received 1,000 vials of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, March 8.
The Manila Public Information Office said the city government is targeting to inoculate up to 266 health workers with the AstraZeneca vaccine on Tuesday, March 9.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, who attended the vaccination activity, said he is "very happy" with the fast process of vaccination.
"Mukhang excited 'yung mga lolo't lola ko. Sobrang saya ko para sa kanila (It looks like the city's grandfathers and grandmothers are excited. I am very happy for them)," he told reporters.
"After almost 12 months of uncertainty, at least lumilinaw na 'yung labo ng tubig (the water is getting clearer), hopefully," he added.
Meanwhile, health workers 18-59 years old will continue to receive COVID-19 vaccines made by Chinese bio-pharmaceutical company Sinovac.
Data from the city government showed that at least 2,396 health workers have been vaccinated in the city as of Monday, March 8.
The Manila city government rolled out its vaccination program on March 2, a day after it received 3,000 Sinovac vaccines.