Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 26) — The fourth wave of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” program is expected to happen on the second week of March, a Department of Health official said on Saturday.
Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the upcoming nationwide vaccination drive intend to focus on regions with low vaccination rate, and cover more senior citizens and adolescents aged 12 to 17.
“About week of March 7 ang ating NVD [National Vaccination Day] 4,” she said in a public briefing. “We are still finalizing the concept. Pero ang gusto ng ating mga principals, mas maaga kaya week ng March 7.”
[Translation: The NVD 4 will happen on the week of March 7. We are still finalizing the concept. But our principals want it early, so it will happen on the week of March 7.]
“Ifo-focus natin sa mga A2, yung ating mga senior citizens, sa mga areas na mabababa pa, at pagi-ibayuhin natin yung sa mga 12 to 17 na immunization kasi magfe-face-to-face classes na,” said Cabotaje.
[Translation: We will focus on the A2 or our senior citizens, areas with low vaccination rate, and we will also continue to work on the immunization of children aged 12 to 17 because face-to-face classes will resume soon.]
She added that the fourth run of the mass immunization also seeks to increase the number of people who have yet to receive their first dose, complete their primary doses, and get their booster.
As of Feb. 25, Cabotaje said around 63 million individuals nationwide are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sputnik V from Russia
Moreover, the Philippine government has no plan yet to order more Sputnik V vaccines from Russia amid the ongoing crisis with Ukraine.
“As of now, ang alam ko walang balak na bumili ng Sputnik V vaccine, we have enough ngayon,” disclosed Cabotaje. “Ngayon kung ma-affect yung ibang vaccine, we are ordering yung mRNA which are from U.S., ayun na lang muna.”
[Translation: As of now, there’s no plan to order Sputnik V vaccine because we still have enough as of now. We are ordering mRNA vaccines from the U.S. and that would suffice if the crisis will affect the supply of other vaccines.]
But the DOH official added that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine could affect the transportation cost of the COVID-19 vaccines.
“As of now, we do not see any problems in terms of other vaccines, except baka tumaas dahil sa transport. Kung ano yung mga collateral damage, baka tumaas yung presyo kasi nga yung pag-transport,” Cabotaje said.
[Transportation: As of now, we do not see any problems in terms of other vaccines, except that the price could increase because of transportation. Whatever the collateral damage would be, the price could hike due to transportation.]
