THE Department of Health (DOH) has observed the slowing down of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccination drive over the past week, an official said on Saturday, March 5, 2022.
DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said only 300,000 individuals were vaccinated against Covid-19 last week compared to the around 1.5 million during the week prior.
In a separate interview on Sunday, March 6, Cabotaje urged local government units to ramp up their inoculation again, especially during the upcoming Bayanihan, Bakunahan 4 on March 10 to 12, and further push the administration of second and booster doses, particularly to the vulnerable individuals such as the senior citizens.
She said the national government aims to vaccinate 1.8 million senior citizens to complete their primary doses and/or booster shots.
The government’s focus also includes the administration of boosters shots to the residents of areas that have already reached 70 percent of their target population and the inoculation of primary series in areas with low vaccination coverage.
“From now up to that time, bilis-bilisan natin. Ang gagawin nating estratehiya starting with our NVD (National Vaccination Day) part 4 ay mas contextualized at granular ika nga. Ngayon, aaralin natin ano ba ang sitwasyon ng mga barangay, ng ating munisipyo, ng ating probinsya. Saan ba siya nagkukulang?” said Cabotaje.
(From now up to that time, let's hurry. The strategy we will do starting with our NVD [National Vaccination Day] part 4 is more contextualized and granular. Today, we will study the situation of the barangays, municipalities, and provinces. Where are they lacking?)
She said they are racing against time, especially amid the upcoming start of the campaign period for local posts.
Cabotaje ensured the government has sufficient vaccine stockpiles for the adult population and adolescents 12 to 17 years old.
The Philippines has so far received over 224 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.
Over 63 million individuals have been fully vaccinated in the Philippines.
The national government aims to fully vaccinate 90 million Filipinos by the end of June 2022, provide booster shots to 72.16 million adults, vaccinate 12.7 million adolescents from ages 12 to 17 and administer Covid-19 jabs to 12.56 million children ages five to 11. (SunStar Philippines)