Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. announced on Wednesday that the vaccination program in the Philippines would start with over 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines expected to arrive next month.
“Magkakaroon po tayo ng early rollout this February, more or less…more than 1 million doses,” Galvez said during a visit at the Vaccination Hub in Lakeshore Complex, Taguig City.
Galvez said earlier that there is a good chance that the first vaccines coming to the country will come from the COVAX facility.
The COVAX facility is an international initiative that guarantees access to the vaccine for at least 20 percent of the countries included in the program.
Galvez admitted that there is a “shortfall” in the supply of vaccines worldwide because some manufacturers have cut 50 to 60 percent in their manufacturing.
But he assured that the government is doing everything to get the COVID-19 vaccines needed in the country.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia said local government units in Metro Manila are preparing for the official rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines.
“Ang paghandaan natin itong vaccination. Sa limited supply ng bakuna, kapag mali ang handling, sayang ang bakuna… mapapanis,” Garcia said.
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PH vaccination starts with over 1M doses of COVID-19 vaccines – Galvez
He reiterated that health workers would be prioritized in the inoculation program.
Metro Manila mayors are also preparing on the possibilities for Metro Manila to be either remain under general community quarantine or shift to a more relaxed modified GCQ next month.
Garcia said on Tuesday night, “May data naman na… nakikita naman ‘yung numero.. sabi nga ng mga mayor, mahal natin ang ekonomiya… nandito na ang vaccines, malapit na, ayaw natin ng may surge habang nag-aayos ng bakuna. Kung io-open ng kaunti, gagawing MGCQ, okay rin ‘yan.”
“It depends kung ano ang magiging guidelines. kung GCQ okay pa rin, we welcome that,” Garcia added.
Garcia did not disclose what quarantine status the Metro Manila Council has recommended to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the National Capital Region.