President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation to begin the COVID-19 vaccination of the country’s general population in October, Malacañang announced on Tuesday (Sept. 28).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced during his press briefing, saying that Duterte’s approval was per the advice of vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.
“Pero iyong mga A1, A2, A3 hindi naman po mawawala ang kanilang priority. Magkakaroon po tayo ng express lane para sa kanila… Ngayong maraming supply eh sisimulan na po natin ang bakunahan ng general population,” Roque said.
The official said the guidelines have yet to be released, including the protocols for the vaccination of minors.
“Magsisimula na rin po ang ating pagbabakuna ng ating mga kabataan. Pero ang ating hinihikayat ngayon ay magpa-master listing na po ang mga magulang,” he said.
“Pinaghahandaan po natin iyong master listing pa lang naman. ‘Pag mayroon na po tayong master list, ‘antayin po natin ang anunsiyo kung sino ang mauuna,” he added.
The government earlier reported that the total received vaccines by the country will reach 100 million in October.
A total of 44,361,285 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide as of Sept. 27, including 15,466,087 administered doses in Metro Manila alone. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-bny
