The Department of Health (DOH) said 30% to 50% of the population must be vaccinated for the Philippines to become resilient against any COVID-19 variant.
This was after a JPMorgan analysis showed that the Philippines is among five emerging economies most vulnerable to the COVID-19 Delta variant, along with Peru, Colombia, South Africa, and Thailand.
“Lahat ng bansa are vulnerable to these variants. So itong mga survey na ‘to, bukas tayo, we use kung anumang datos meron diyan so that we can improve dahil ‘di naman talaga tayo perpekto,” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the July 9 DOH briefing.
The DOH urged COVID-19 vulnerable individuals anew to get vaccinated, citing the death of a male senior citizen with comorbidity in Davao Oriental last May after getting infected with the Beta variant from South Africa.
Read more: EXPLAINER: Why senior citizens should get the jab
“He had hypertension and diabetes, so ‘pag tiningnan po natin ‘yung profile ng tao, he is very vulnerable to this disease of COVID-19. ‘Di po natin pwedeng i-attribute agad that this variant has caused this severity of the disease of this person,” Vergeire said.
Experts have continuously reiterated that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing hospitalization and severe symptoms.
Read more: Sinovac vaccine effective vs. severe COVID-19
Coverage goal
The government has set the target to achieve a 90% vaccination coverage for both priority groups A2 and A3 for this July and August, respectively.
DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) chairperson, said they have been coordinating with regional and local vaccination centers for A2 vaccination.
“Nakita natin ‘yung challenges. Unang-una, nahirapan sa technology ‘yung pag-register, so we have advised na mag-barangay,” Cabotaje said.
The DOH has also been working with the Bangsamoro Region which had the lowest COVID-19 vaccine coverage. Cabotaje said they are also allocating vaccines to the regions despite logistical challenges. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
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