Galvez: General public may be vaccinated vs COVID-19 by July

Presidential Peace adviser and concurrent National Task Force COVID-19 Response Chief Implementor and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The general public and adult population could already receive their COVID-19 vaccines by July where the Philippines is expected to have a secure and steady supply of doses, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday.

The government’s COVID-19 vaccination program, which was launched in March, is so far prioritizing healthcare workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities.

According to Galvez’s presentation during a Palace briefing, 13.5 million vaccine doses are expected to arrive in the country by July.

“This coming July ‘pag nagkaroon na tayo ng secure and steady supply, maaari na nating bakunahan ang general public at saka mga adult population starting in July,” he said.

(When we get a secure and steady supply of the vaccines, we can start vaccinating the general public and adult population.)

The country is expected to receive two million COVID-19 vaccine doses this month, 500,000 of which have already arrived, while 4.1 million doses are expected to arrive in May, he added.

During this period, the vaccination program could expand to include essential workers and the indigent population.

However, if there are still limitations to the supply, the government will still continue vaccinating healthcare workers, the elderly and persons with comorbidities.

JPV