The COVID-19 vaccination facility in Ilocos Sur’s capital city of Vigan. (Photo courtesy of Vigan city government)
MANILA, Philippines — The national government is aiming to vaccinate at least 90% of the Philippines’ population against COVID-19 by February 2022 in preparation for the May national elections, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the national vaccine manager, said in the second taped briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte that started airing late Wednesday night.
The government, he said, had started preparing for what he called phase two of the country’s vaccine procurement, which takes into consideration the May 2022 national elections.
According to Galvez, the government continues to negotiate for more COVID-19 vaccines, with current talks with four companies involving an additional 90 million vaccines.
Booster shots are also included in the procurement.
“Pinaplano na rin namin ‘yung pagdating ng election at kailangan by February, matapos na tayo lahat or at least 90%,” he said in a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We are also planning for the upcoming elections, and we need to finish vaccinating by February or at least 90% of the population,” Galvez said n Filipino. “At the same time, before the elections, at least those who need booster shots would be able to have booster shots.”
“‘Our programming is that, before the elections, all Filipinos should be protected,” he continued.
Galvez noted that the country’s vaccine supply had started to stabilize and the demand for it was already being met.
According to him, the Philippines currently has a stock of 23.75 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, which could sustain vaccinations for a month and a half.
Apart from this, the country is expecting 20 million more doses in mid-October.
“If you can see it, there are more deliveries than vaccinations, meaning there is enough supply that is coming,” he said.
So far, 19 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with 23.1 million partially vaccinated, meaning they have received only one dose.