COVID-19 Vaccine Update – 35M Filipinos Prioritized For First Round Of Vaccines
COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE – The Philippine government has eyed 35 million Filipinos to be prioritized for the new COVID-19 vaccine.
Currently, there are 3 leading names in the vaccine race – Pfizer, Modena, and AstraZeneca. Additionally, the Philippines is set to procure around 60 million vaccine doses from these companies.
However, experts believe that it may take a couple of years for the government to successfully vaccinate prioritized residents. Secretary Carlito Galves Jr., the chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said:
“Sa vaccination po natin ng more or less 60 to 70 million, we will do this in a 3 to 5-year period“
Previously, President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized that he would give priority to officers of the military and police. He explained that because these officers would be in charge of vaccine distribution, giving them doses first would ensure the safety of the people.
Furthermore, vaccine priority would be given to areas considered as “Hotspots” for the virus. These include areas such as Metro Manila, Davao City, and Bacolod, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
According to an article from ABS-CBN, from these areas, those prioritized for the vaccine would be indigents, vulnerable sectors, medical frontliners, police, and soldiers.
Last week, the President approved advance payments to private vaccine manufacturers to ensure the country gets a supply of the vaccine. As per the article, the President had also authorized the emergency use of the vaccines.
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