THE Philippines received on Friday, July 16, 2021, an initial delivery of over 1.6 million doses of the single-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The vaccines were donated by the United States (US) Government through the Covax Facility.
A second delivery, expected to arrive on July 17, will complete the donation of around 3.2 million doses.
The deliveries are part of global vaccine-sharing strategy by the US Government, which aims to provide at least 80 million vaccine doses to countries most affected by the pandemic.
“These vaccines from the Covax facility would be given to our senior citizens who are at risk for severe Covid-19 and deaths. These single-dose vaccines would help fully vaccinate more of our lolos and lolas and increase coverage among the A2 priority group. By fully vaccinating them, we could hopefully reduce hospitalization and decongest our hospitals. Kaya naman po inaanyayahan ko ang ating mga lolo at lola na magpabakuna na laban sa Covid-19,” said Department of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.
As of July 14, around 10 million Filipinos have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and over 4.0 million have completed two doses. However, the vaccination coverage among the A2 priority group – the senior citizens – remains lagging at 31 percent coverage for the first dose.
The additional Covid-19 vaccines are expected to urgently fill in the supplies needed to vaccinate the vulnerable and at-risk populations, especially the elderly and those living in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas.
The J&J vaccines can be stored using conventional vaccine storage equipment for routine vaccines, enabling the supplies to be distributed to far-flung areas, where populations can be fully protected with a single dose.
“WHO lauds the United States Government and its people for heeding the global call for vaccine equity, and for its continuing partnership with the Philippines to save lives and end the pandemic,” said Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative to the Philippines.
“Covid-19 vaccines are lifesaving tools, but with a limited supply, prioritizing the most vulnerable is the most optimal way to save lives. In the Philippines, we need to ramp up our efforts in vaccinating the elderly and those with underlying conditions,” he added. (PR)