NTF ‘confident’ to fully vaccinate 70M Filipinos before end of Duterte presidency
The National Task Force Against COVID-19, meanwhile, is optimistic that at least 70 million Filipinos will be fully vaccinated before President Rodrigo Duterte leaves his post.
NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said it was the original target of the government before increasing it to 90 million.
Galvez stressed that the figure is “already substantial” as it is within the range approved by the World Health Organization.
The official said that 75 million Filipinos would have at least one dose, while 70 million are expected to be fully vaccinated before the end of the Duterte administration.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 8) — Outgoing Health Secretary Francisco Duque III admitted on Wednesday that it will be difficult to vaccinate 7 million more individuals against COVID-19 before the Duterte administration steps down.
The initial target to vaccinate 90 million Filipinos was brought down to 77 million. Currently 69.5 million or 77% of the target has been fully vaccinated.
With only three weeks to go, only around 300,000 individuals are availing of their first dose weekly.
He asked the administration of President-elect Bongbong Marcos — including local chief executives — to continue the vaccination program and further enhance the booster drive, which Duque admitted has been “anemic” during his time as DOH chief.
“Mahihirapan given the numbers now. Parang mga 300,000 lang a week for primary dose, for 2nd dose even lower ang vaccination rate. Kailangan na lang ipagpatuloy ng susunod na administrasyon to further ramp it up and achieve 100% of 77 million target,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
The secretary added, “I will be the first one to admit that we’re struggling with the booster. But we have not given up, and the next administration will see the wisdom of what we have done in DOH, particularly in improving access to the booster dose for our people.”
[Translation: It will be hard given our current numbers. Around 300,000 are getting their first dose, it’s even lower for the second dose. The next administration should continue it and even ramp it up to achieve 100% of 77 million target.]
Continuing the ongoing COVID-19 response programs and reaching the vaccination target are among the “major” health challenges to be faced by the administration of Marcos, who has yet to name his Health chief, according to Duque.
Duque added that the incoming government also has to address the challenge of making making primary health care services more accessible to all Filipinos.
