COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines eyed to start in February
The first round of vaccinations in the Philippines against COVID-19 may start late February according to National Task Force against COVID-19 chief Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr.
Galvez made the statement during a Senate hearing today Jan. 11 regarding the government’s vaccination plan.
When asked by Sen. Panfilo Lacson when the first COVID-19 vaccination will happen in the country, Galvez said he expects it in the third or fourth week of February.
Galvez said the initial doses will come from the COVAX facility.
The COVAX facility is a global initiative organized through the World Health Organization that is composed of 64 high-income economies and is dedicated to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines by countries and areas most in need.
Galvez said the Covax facility may deliver doses for the country that will be enough for at least 20 million people.
After the initial delivery, Galvez said bulk will come by the latter part of the year.
“The main bulk of the vaccines that will be rolled out will be in the third and fourth quarter of this year,” said Galvez.