Manila Mayor Isko Moreno gets Sinovac vaccine

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno received his first dose of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday, April 4, administered by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan at Osmeña High School in Tondo, Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the vaccination of mayors in high-risk areas based on a recommendation from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Moreno, who is set to receive his second dose in about four weeks, stated that it is "high time" for local chief executives to get vaccinated as they are highly exposed on the frontlines.

He urged those in the priority list to get vaccinated, stating that "The best vaccines are those vaccines available nowadays. The most efficient vaccine is the one in your arms."

The city government is also using AstraZeneca vaccines for senior citizens and individuals aged 18 to 59 with comorbidities, requiring proof of comorbidity for the latter.

As of April 3, Manila had a total of 43,179 COVID-19 cases, with 4,012 active cases, 38,258 recoveries, and 909 deaths.