Gov’t eyeing COVID-19 vaccination for general population by October

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is aiming to open COVID-19 vaccination to the general population, including vulnerable children with comorbidities, by October, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Wednesday.

So far, the government has prioritized the vaccination of medical frontliners, senior citizen, individuals with comorbidities, economic frontliners and indigents, but ample vaccine supply is expected by October to open the inoculation to the general population by October, Galvez said.

“We are proposing that by October mag-general population na tayo at we are proposing na lalo na ‘yung mga vulnerable children na may comorbidities, io-open na natin by October,” he said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

(We are proposing that by October, we will open the vaccination to the general population including vulnerable children with comorbidities.)

FILE PHOTO: Filipinos use their smartphones while queueing for free vaccination against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines, July 21, 2021. (REUTERS)

“We believe by October, mayroon na tayong enough supply at saka magsa-saturate na ‘yung ating mga volume,” he added.

(We believe that by October, we will have enough supply.)

Galvez earlier said the Philippines is expected to receive 54.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses until next month, with 25 million to be delivered in September and 29.5 million shipped in October.

He said the available supply and the future deliveries of vaccines will be equitably distributed among regions, especially those with rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila’s allocation will be reduced  since 45% of its residents are already fully vaccinated against the severe respiratory disease.

So far, the Philippines has received a total of 48.8 million COVID-19 doses.

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