Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — Authorities are aiming to achieve herd immunity in Metro Manila and several other areas dealing with high COVID-19 cases by November, Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said.
The mission is “to achieve herd immunity by November 27, 2021” in the National Capital Region along with Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Pampanga, Batangas, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, read Galvez’s presentation during President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent public address.
Galvez referred to the country’s COVID-19 hotspots, now collectively known as NCR+8, as “centers of gravity.”
“Sini-simulate na po namin ito sa Metro Manila at nakikita namin merong more or less mga six to ten Metro Manila mayors, kaya nila ‘yung herd immunity by November. Sabi nila ‘pag naka-5,000 o 8,000 [shots] sila na every day, makukuha nila ‘yung herd immunity by November,” explained Galvez, who also serves as chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.
[Translation: We’re already simulating this in Metro Manila and we can see more or less six to ten Metro Manila mayors who say herd immunity can be achieved by November. They say they can achieve it if they administer 5,000 to 8,000 shots every day.]
However, Galvez added herd immunity may be achieved as early as September or October if the vaccination pace can be increased to a daily rate of 8,000 to 10,000 shots.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno agreed, saying herd immunity can indeed be achieved by September. He noted that just yesterday, they were able to administer 15,763 vaccine doses.
“We broke again our record of vaccines deployed and 95% of that is the first dose. The point is ang mga LGU gamitin lang nang husto ng national government, tingin ko ma-achieve natin ang ating goal by September na magka-herd immunity, ma-reach ang 70% vaccinated,” Moreno told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
[Translation: If the national government fully utilizes LGUs, I think we can achieve the goal of herd immunity by September and get 70% of the population vaccinated.]
“Lahat po ng experts sinasabi nila na once ma-heal natin ito, ma-preserve natin ‘yang centers of gravity natin, ma-preserve natin ‘yung ating mga vulnerable na cities, mape-preserve din po natin ang economy natin,” said Galvez, noting that over 60% of the domestic economy comes from NCR+8.
[Translations: All the experts have been saying that once we heal and preserve these centers of gravity and our vulnerable cities, then we can also preserve our economy.]
Malacañang earlier announced these areas will be given 48% of vaccine doses set to arrive in the country.
For health reform advocate Dr. Mike Vergara, achieving herd immunity by November will be realistic through two things: allowing vaccination sites to operate 24/7 and getting the private sector involved. He explained if inoculation centers will be allowed to operate for longer hours, companies can help bring in additional coronavirus shots and health workers to boost the country’s immunization program. He also said tapping other medical professionals – like medical technologists and dentists to act as administrators of vaccine – will be also of great help.
Vergara also told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word that local government units can implement various ways to carry out their vaccination drive like a combination of signing up online, and first come, first serve basis. He said the key is to be able to control the amount of people who will line up for inoculation.
Meanwhile, Vergara said Filipinos should not choose a vaccine brand since they perform “equally very well.”
“The vaccination centers are not restaurants. They will serve what they have, and you get what there is that day,” he said.
The Philippine economy remains in recession in 2021, having contracted by 4.2% in the first quarter as pandemic-induced quarantine restrictions continue to hamper business and consumer activity. Economic managers and analysts alike are pinning their hopes on a speedy vaccine rollout to lift the economy out of its current slump and usher in its safe, gradual reopening.
The President has recommended that Galvez let the Department of the Interior and Local Government help supervise the rollout in localities. Galvez said he will be coordinating with Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to ensure the integrity of the vaccines is preserved and their cold chain requirements are followed throughout the process.
The government aims to vaccinate up to 70 million Filipinos against COVID-19 in hopes of achieving herd immunity.
