However, the more likely scenario is that such figures would be achieved by 2022, Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire told CNN Philippines’ News Night.
Vergeire also explained attaining herd immunity in particular areas would be difficult due to geographic reasons.
“When we talk about a specific area, like for example Davao, we cannot say that we can attain herd immunity and that they can be protected, because our borders are porous, interzonal,” she said. “So, what we’re trying to achieve right now is for us to be able to cover the vulnerable population.”
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) — The government will recalibrate its vaccination target due to global supply issues, a Department of Health official said Wednesday.
From the initial goal of inoculating 70% of the population or 70 million Filipinos by year-end to achieve herd immunity, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said it will be brought down to 50% to 60% by focusing on Metro Manila to reach immediate protection.
“We were looking before at targeting 70 million na Filipinos by end of this year or early next year. Medyo ni-refocus natin ito at ang target natin ay about 50 to 60%. Naka-concentrate iyan sa NCR Plus para mas mapabilis,” she said in a media briefing.
[Translation: We slightly refocused our target to go down to 50% or 60%. We will focus on NCR Plus so it will be faster.]
If the global supply improves, the official said the Philippines could still reach the initial goal of vaccinating 70 million people to achieve herd immunity this year.
Meanwhile, from referring to “herd immunity” — used globally to define a substantial proportion of a population that is immune to a specific disease — DOH is shifting to the term “population protection through mass immunization.”
“We are shifting to the term ‘population protection through mass immunization’ kasi po iyong ating herd immunity, marami pong mga kaakibat na mga criteria,” Cabotaje said.
DOH said 85% or 1,340,337 of healthcare workers nationwide have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine three months since the launch of the vaccination program. The number is higher at 97% in Metro Manila.
The number remains low for the senior citizens and people with comorbidities. The country has administered a total of 3.46 million first doses, while 1,029,061 have completed their COVID-19 shots.
CNN Philippines correspondent Triciah Terada contributed to this report.
