PH gov’t eyes 3-day vaccination drive to inoculate 5 million Filipinos against COVID-19
The national government plans to conduct a three-day vaccination drive to inoculate five million Filipinos against COVID-19.
In an interview with ANC Headstart, COVID-19 vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said the government's “National Vaccine Day” program targets to simulate the country’s election day as inoculation precincts will be set up in several parts of the country.
“Para siyang election day. We will stop on that day and lahat ng ating available healthcare workers, pediatricians, and dentists they will gather just to do the inoculations. All of the agencies and private sector will put in the resources so that day talaga will be a big day natin na parang election day na nakita natin milyon ‘yung nagpupunta sa presinto,” Galvez added.
Galvez said the government is eyeing to hold the program for “more or less three consecutive days” to maintain its “momentum.” However, the target dates for the initiative were not mentioned in the interview.
The program also aims to further ramp up the country’s COVID-19 vaccination by “15 to 20 million” before the end of the month.
“Gagawin nating vax to the max na tayo. At the same time, magkakaroon na rin tayo ng house-to-house and also ang gagawin natin is by clustering. Gagamitin din natin ‘yung public schools at gyms bilang vaccination sites” Galvez said.
According to Galvez, the government will also begin administering booster shots and third doses to priority sectors. “Naghihintay lang tayo ng recommendation of the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts and ‘yung amendment of emergency use authorizations to include third doses or booster shots.”
Some 26.18 million Filipinos or 24% of the population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as of Oct. 26.
The Philippines has recorded 1,591 COVID-19 cases, the lowest in eight months, as of this writing.