Isko eyes using Manila Zoo as vaccination site

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is considering using Manila Zoo as a vaccination site for senior citizens and minors aged 5 to 11 as the national government intends to start the vaccination of younger children in the first week of February 2022.

In a statement, Moreno said they identified the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden or Manila Zoo, a five-hectare recreation facility, as an ideal vaccination site.

“So we thought, dahil sa nagre-request na mga tao sa Manila Zoo, at least magkaroon sila ng sneak peek. At marami naman na ang mapapasyalan dito — open air, maaliwalas. Double purpose pa, maipapasyal nila ang kanilang apo o 'yung mga lolo at lola,” Moreno said on Saturday during his visit to the zoo.

Moreno added that only 500 to 1,000 people will be allowed entry to Manila Zoo daily to ensure minimum health protocols are followed.

The Department of Health had said they expect the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines that will be administered to minors aged 5 to 11 years old to arrive by the end of January or first week of February this year.

While waiting for the arrival of those vaccines, minors aged 12-17 may get vaccinated at the Manila Zoo, the mayor said.

The upcoming vaccination site at the zoo will also be open to residents and non-residents of Manila, Moreno added.

The zoo underwent rehabilitation and has been recently opened to the public. —Consuelo Marquez/KG, GMA News