The Philippines began on Monday (Nov. 29) its massive three-day national vaccination drive dubbed as “Bayanihan Bakunahan” to inoculate nine million more individuals.
In his speech at the vaccination venue in Antipolo City, President Rodrigo Duterte said the National Vaccination Days is the country’s “biggest push to fast track vaccination and reach the target of 70% population protection nationwide by the end of 2021.”
“We expect to fully vaccinate a total of 54-M Filipinos. We also aim to inoculate 80% of the population of minors aged 12 to 17 years, and complete the booster shots for those belonging to A1, A2, and A3 sectors,” Duterte said.
As of 4:00 p.m., the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) reported that 547,628 have been given their COVID-19 vaccine dose under the nationwide event.
NVOC chairperson and Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said there are around 8,000 participating vaccination centers with more than 30,000 volunteers.
Walk-ins have been allowed to receive their COVID-19 shots, especially priority groups A2 and A3. Cabotaje appealed to the public to avoid choosing vaccine brands over other approved products.
“Kung ano ‘yung bakuna dun sa bakuna center, kunin na nila, tapos ‘yung mga walk-in, kailangan natin – nag-e-encourage tayo na i-accommodate sana yung mga walk-in,” she said.
The government called on the public anew to join the vaccination program and observe health protocols, especially with the threat posed by the highly mutated Omicron COVID-19 variant.
“It is very important to us to take a whole-of-nation approach to win against the coronavirus that has sorely plagued our country for almost two years,” Duterte said.
Meeting the target
Philippine Medical Association President Dr. Benito Atienza said in an interview with PTV on Monday morning that the daily three million jab target is attainable.
He said all available resources have been coordinated to raise the number of volunteers, noting that vaccination sites’ bottlenecks are in the screening and monitoring process.
“Marami na tayong volunteer para sa encoders, iyon ay mga hindi doctor. At saka marami na rin tayong tutulong na mga doctor,” he said.
Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. said in an interview that the program has been going “smoothly,” and that the government is confident to achieve the three million target.
“Kung makuha natin ang target na nine million or even higher, makukuha na natin ang target na at least magkakaroon tayo… makuha natin ang first dose 84 million ngayong buwan,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) said authorities and experts are monitoring developments on the Omicron variant, including its possible increased transmissibility and immune evasion.
There are at least 160 reported Omicron cases worldwide. The Philippines has already imposed travel restrictions on several South African countries with reported Omicron transmission. – Reports from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
