Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 6) – The country’s health secretary on Tuesday urged two international bodies to remind wealthy nations not to continue hoarding COVID-19 vaccines, as poorer ones continue to scramble for supply.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III made the appeal to the United Nations and the World Health Organization during a ceremonial vaccination event in Pampanga. He noted that rich nations, which have secured the bulk of the global supply, are already readying for their booster program, or to administer a third shot to its citizens for extra protection.
“Eh tingin ko hindi tama ito dahil malaki pa ang porsyento ng ating mamamayan sa buong mundo na hindi pa nakakatanggap ni isang dose ng COVID-19 vaccine [I believe this isn’t right, because a huge percentage of the global population has not yet even received a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine],” he said.
“Ako po’y susulat ng pormal sa kanila para paalalahan po ang ating mga mayayamang bansa na ‘wag naman kalimutan ang mga mahihirap na bansa [I will formally write to the UN and WHO to ask them to remind rich countries not to leave behind poorer nations],” he added.
Both organizations have previously enjoined countries worldwide to work in solidarity and ensure vaccines are fairly distributed.
In a report last December, international watchdog People’s Vaccine Alliance said wealthy countries have purchased enough doses to inoculate their populations three times over. The Philippine government has also repeatedly cited supply shortage and inequity in global vaccine distribution as the reason behind delays in the national immunization drive.
The country has so far administered 12 million COVID-19 vaccine doses since it began its vaccination program in March. In its update on Monday, the government said around 2.8 million people have completed their two doses.
