By NG Seruela
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III called on the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to remind wealthy countries to share COVID-19 vaccine supply.
In a public briefing on Tuesday (July 6), Health Sec. Duque said while the rich countries are discussing the third dose, many low to middle-income countries have not yet received a dose of the vaccine.
“Ako po ay nananawagan sa United Nations (UN), sa World Health Organization (WHO) na pakiusapan ang mga mayayamang bansa na sa kasalukuyan ay pinag-uusapan na nila iyong booster dose or the third dose. Tingin ko, hindi tama ito dahil marami pa, malaki pa ang porsyento ng ating mga mamamayan sa buong mundo na hindi pa nakakatanggap ni isang dose ng COVID vaccines,” he said.
He claimed that he will write a formal letter to prompt the rich countries to remember the low to middle-income countries with few to none COVID-19 vaccine supply.
“So, kung mangyari lang po na makinig naman sila sa sentimyento ng ating low to middle income countries na kulang na kulang pa rin ang mga bakuna. Mababa pa ang ating coverage kaya tayo po ay nakikiusap. Ako po ay susulat nang pormal sa kanila para paalalahanan po ang ating mga mayayaman na bansa na huwag po nilang kalimutan naman ang mga mahihirap na mga bansa na mag-uumpisa pa nga lang.”
“Many peoples of the world still don’t even have the first vaccine,” he added.
In relation to this, National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon announced the shipment delay of the Sinovac vaccines. It was moved to July 18, however, NTF against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. is “finding a way” to schedule the shipment earlier.
“Mayroon tayong delay sa shipment natin ng Sinovac. Ang next na shipment ay scheduled pa sa July 18, although ginagawan ng paraan ni Secretary Galvez na mapaaga ito, next week. Pero dahil nga sa delay ng pagdating shipment ng Sinovac ay pina-prioritize natin sa ating mga LGUs lalo na sa NCR ang pag-a-administer ng second doses,” he said.
Dizon also said that they have ordered the prioritization of the second dose vaccination for the full protection of senior citizens and people with comorbidities.
“Pero ang priority muna ngayon, lahat muna ay magpa-prioritize ng second doses. Importante din iyan dahil, sabi nga ni Secretary Duque na paulit-ulit, importante ang full vaccine protection lalong-lalo na para sa ating mga senior citizens at those with comorbidities.”
He added that the cause of the delay is the lack of vaccine supply due to large demand worldwide. -rir
