Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) — The government’s program to administer booster shots in pharmacies will be expanded to Baguio City and other areas, presidential adviser for COVID-19 response Vince Dizon said on Monday.
During President Rodrigo Dutere’s Talk to the People, Dizon said the success of the initial rollout of the program in Metro Manila showed that it was “the way forward,” as pharmacies were closer to the public and therefore more accessible.
“In the next few days and weeks, this will be expanded substantially all over the country… Sa Wednesday po, kami nila (Health) Sec. (Francisco) Duque and Sec. Charlie (Galvez) ay pupunta sa Baguio, tutulungan natin ang City of Baguio,” he said.
[Translation: In the next few days and weeks, this will be expanded substantially all over the country…On Wednesday, Sec. Duque, Sec. Charlie and I will go to Baguio to help there.]
Dizon explained that expanding the program to two pharmacies in the city would be a way to help. He added that the project would eventualy include other parts of the country, although no particulars were given.
During the briefing, Senator Bong Go suggested giving incentives to pharmacies joining the vaccination drive so that even those in far-flung areas could be encouraged to take part.
“Para mas maengganyo pa ‘yung mga, lahat ng may-ari ng pharmacies natin sa pinakamalalayong lugar…(at) mas ma-attain natin ang target natin ngayong taon,” Go said.
[Translation: So that we can encourage owners of pharmacies in far-flung areas…and to reach our target this year.]
Seven pharmacies in Metro Manila were part of the pilot program that began last week.
Dizon said they would be studying Go’s suggestion, together with the Department of Health and the National Vaccination Operations Center.
