The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte to declare the national COVID-19 vaccination drive on Nov. 29 and Dec. 1 as special working holidays.
This is in bid to prevent disruption of economic activities while the government ramps up measures on vaccination and against COVID-19.
The second day of the three-day vaccination drive on Nov. 30 is a regular non-working holiday to commemorate Bonifacio Day.
“Para naman umandar ang ating ekonomiya. Alam ninyo naman na napakaimportante po ng 4th quarter para sa ating economic growth,” Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said.
“So iyon po ‘yung naging recommendation, abangan na lang po natin ano iyong ilalabas na issuance mula sa Malacañang,” he added.
Nograles stressed vaccination’s importance, especially in addressing COVID-19 fatalities in the Philippines.
“Pinag-uusapan lagi ‘yan sa IATF ‘no, ang mga numero at mga data, mga datos at nakikita po natin ‘no na 9 out of 10 na mga COVID cases na nasa hospital po ay unvaccinated,” he said.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo said the mortality rate in the country is low at less than 1.5%. However, he said the public cannot be complacent.
Meanwhile, the government may launch the vaccination for the younger population aged four to 11 before the year ends.
“I am pretty sure Pfizer is going to be ready and the Sinovac also told us that their data is being collated and will be submitted soon. So, I believe before the end of the year, we are going to have vaccines for children below 12,” he said.
As of Nov. 22, there are 76,522,732 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country, including 42,632,392 first dose, 33,847,741 complete doses, and 42,599 booster doses. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-rir
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