INTERNATIONAL: Manila's local government has opened up its zoo on Wednesday, 19 January as a vaccination centre for minors and the elderly, as a means of encouraging them to get vaccinated while being entertained by animals.

A thousand COVID-19 injections will be allocated per day for minors aged 12 to 17 years old and senior citizens, according to authorities.

"Even if the zoo isn't completely open, they can enjoy the sights, the peacocks, eagles, and Mali (the elephant). They can relax and forget about their problems," said vaccination site doctor, Ray Salinel.

Daily coronavirus infections have hit records several times in the Philippines this month, driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant, prompting a tightening of mobility curbs. The country has so far fully inoculated about half of its population, but many areas outside the capital region are lagging behind.

^{PHOTO: CHILDREN GETTING VACCINATED, BIRDS INSIDE AVIARY, ELEPHANT INSIDE ENCLOSURE, CHILDREN AND THEIR GUARDIANS TAKING PHOTOS WITH ANIMALS, SOUNDBITES FROM PARENT AND DOCTOR AT VACCINATION SITE}