Manila - The Philippines opened a makeshift vaccination centre in a zoo on Wednesday. The government hopes its elephants and eagles can attract young and elderly people hesitant about getting inoculated against COVID-19.

Vaccinations to young people aged 12-17 and the elderly were given in the Manila Zoo. The zoo also allowed the vaccine recipients to spend time observing its elephant enclosure, peacocks and more.

The Philippines has so far fully inoculated about half of its population, but many areas outside the capital region are lagging far behind, complicating efforts to suppress fresh outbreaks of COVID-19.

Daily coronavirus infections have hit records several times this month, driven by the especially contagious Omicron variant, prompting a tightening of curbs on mobility, including a public transport ban for the unvaccinated.

The Philippines has had problems with vaccine hesitancy that pre-date COVID-19, particularly among children.

For his part, President Rodrigo Duterte has even threatened to arrest unvaccinated people.

Ray Salinel, a doctor, said the zoo was a great idea to encourage more people to be inoculated.
-Reuters