By Lade Jean Kabagani | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The government is eyeing to achieve its targeted average daily vaccination rate of at least 1 million up to 1.5 million doses beginning Nov. 30, National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Wednesday (Nov. 3).
During the prerecorded Talk to the People of President Rodrigo Duterte aired Wednesday morning, Galvez added the government also targets to administer at least 15 million doses of coronavirus vaccines before the end of this month.
To achieve this goal, Galvez said there is a need to activate around 4,000 to 5,000 vaccination sites operating nationwide and can accommodate at least 500 vaccinees daily.
If these sites can vaccinate up to 1,000 individuals once operational, then the targeted 5 million doses weekly will be achievable, he added.
“So we will be utilizing the [shopping] malls, universities, schools, gyms, military/police camps, and function hall of the different government agencies,” he said.
Galvez, also the country’s vaccine czar, announced that the government, in partnership with the Philippine Medical Association and its allied medical groups within the Rotary Club, will soon hold a National Vaccination Day “either Nov. 20 or 30.”
He said it will be participated “by mobilizing the NGOs, government agencies, private sector, and the volunteers,” noting that the initiative will further accelerate the country’s vaccination program.
The government is also mulling to fully vaccinate at least 90% of the education sector including teachers, students, and other school personnel.
Citing data reported by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Prospero de Vera, Galvez said 87% to 90% of the teachers’ population were already vaccinated.
The government will also ramp up the vaccination of teaching personnel and secondary students under the Department of Education (DepEd), he added.
He said the administration of booster shots for medical workers and other healthcare personnel in the hospitals will be prioritized by the end of the month.
Galvez said the government also targets to fully vaccinate at least 50% of the population residing in high-risk areas such as the Calabarzon and Central Luzon regions.
The huge disparity of vaccination rate in these areas compared to the National Capital Region must be addressed, he said.
He added there is a need to ramp up the vaccination of senior citizens as they are the most vulnerable to the disease.
“We will still concentrate on vaccinating senior citizens so that we can achieve [full vaccination of] at least 70% [by the end of November],” he said.
The latest data of the National COVID-19 Vaccination dashboard showed the Philippines has already administered a total of 60,406,424 doses, with 27,749,809 individuals already fully vaccinated and 32,656,615 others have received the first dose.
The average daily vaccination rate in the last seven weeks has slightly slowed down to 511,434 doses, compared to the previous week’s 522,272 doses due to the observance of the All Saints’ Day holiday.
However, health authorities expressed optimism that the country will be able to increase its average daily vaccination rate with the bulk of COVID-19 vaccines now being continuously delivered. (PNA) – bny
