HTAC optimistic in achieving population protection by November

By NG Seruela

The Health Technology and Assessment Council (HTAC) is optimistic that the Philippines will achieve population protection by November.

In a Laging Handa public briefing on Thursday (June 17), HTAC member Dr. Carin Alejandria assured that with the current pace of the country’s vaccination rollout, population protection by November is possible especially with the opening of the vaccination of the A4 and A5 categories.

“Naniniwala po tayo na sa pagbubukas po ng mga slots para sa mga kababayan natin na kabilang sa A4 at A5 categories, mas makakamit po natin ang mga ating objective na magkaroon ng population protection status pagdating po ng November.”

Dr. Alejandria explained that the population protection is a status wherein the cases of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 will decrease through the mass vaccination.

“Magagawa lamang po kasi iyan kapag ma-target natin iyong mga kababayan natin na mataas ang risk katulad po ng mga seniors, frontliners at iyong mga may comorbidities,” she said.

She further discussed that the vaccination of A4 and A5 will greatly help the country in achieving the said status since a large number of the population is under the said categories.

Moreover, she admitted that the lack of supply for the demand of vaccines is a challenge faced by many countries including the Philippines. Due to this, the country still needs to implement prioritization under the new opened categories.

“Isa nga po talagang malaking balakid ngayon sa rollout ng bakuna ay ang kakulangan ng supply. Problema po ito na kinahaharap ng maraming bansa, hindi lamang po ng Pilipinas ha. Kaya naman po ay kailangan pa rin po na magkaroon pa rin po tayo ng prioritization sa mga bagong bukas na categories,” she said.

“Kailangan pa rin pong unahin pa natin ang mga nakakatanda at iyong mga may comorbidities, kasi po kapag sila po ay nagkasakit, naka-clog po iyong ating mga ospital. Iyon po sana ang iniiwasan natin.,” she added. -rir

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