WHO: Philippines’ Supply Of COVID-19 Vaccines From COVAX Could Be “Jeopardized” If Priority List Not Followed

The WHO warned that the Philippines’ supply of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility could be “jeopardized” if the priority list wasn’t followed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned that the Philippines’ supply of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility could be “jeopardized” if the country failed to follow the priority list in the vaccine rollout.

WHO COVAX Priority List
Photo source: GMA News Online

In a report on GMA News Online, WHO country representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe underscored that the COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX were intended to protect the most vulnerable groups: health workers, the elderly, and people with comorbidities.

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In a virtual briefing, he said that if they wanted to ensure that they continued to access the COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility, they needed to demonstrate that they can follow the prioritization.

The COVAX Facility was a WHO-led initiative that sought to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, especially for poor nations.

If we cannot demonstrate that we are following this prioritization, unfortunately, the COVAX may have to consider other options where the impact of the vaccine rollout will be more useful and practical and will contribute to saving more lives,” Abeyasinghe said.

Abeyasinghe left the adherence to the prioritization list up to the Department of Health (DOH) and said that the WHO didn’t plan to “police” the rollout.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire encouraged compliance to the country’s COVID-19 vaccine prioritization list.

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