The Department of Health (DOH) announced Monday the start of vaccination against COVID-19 of those in the general adult population.
“Ayon sa vaccine cluster, mayroon nang sapat na supply ng bakuna para makapagsimula ng pagbabakuna sa lahat ng adult population,” said Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire.
The general population includes people who were not included in the previous priority groups in the vaccine rollout.
Despite this, the DOH continues to call for priority in vaccinating senior citizens and people with comorbidity or illness because they are “more vulnerable to the severe symptoms of COVID-19,” Vergeire said.
Vaccination has also been targeted at 12 to 17 -year -olds with comorbidity.
“Nakapagsabi ang vaccine cluster, they will start on October 15. Hinahanda na ang lahat ng ospital na kasama dito,” said Vergeire.
To date, about 23.1 million individuals in the country are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As of Monday, the DOH recorded 8,292 additional COVID-19 cases for a total of 2,674,814 cases, of which 98,894 were active cases.
This is the lowest number since August 5 this year.
PH begins vaccination of general population
He said the DOH continues to monitor the Cagayan Valley Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the Zamboanga Peninsula because they are the “high risk” for COVID-19 cases and the capacity of the health care system.
Meanwhile, 272,610 doses of Pfizer purchased by the Philippines against COVID-19 arrived in the country Monday night.
It was welcomed by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Assistant Secretary Wilben Mayor and US Embassy Political Officer Kevin Riley.
According to the Mayor, the newly arrived vaccines will be sent to various regions.
“Despite this positive development, we would like again to remind them not to be complacent…We always observe the health protocols, the minimum standard wearing mask and face shield, washing hands, and of course, we encourage everyone to be inoculated,” said Mayor.
“Hinihikayat ko po ang ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna po and the…We really ask the local government officials and local government units and implementing agencies to increase their vaccination numbers…So as to achieve the target 50 to 80 percent of the population inoculated within this year,” he added.
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