Young children were treated to clowns and mascots during a pediatric vaccination at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. (PHOTO FROM PCMC)
MANILA, Philippines — The fourth national COVID-19 vaccination drive, dubbed “Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” will prioritize remote areas with a low vaccination rate, according to a Department of Health (DOH) statement on Tuesday.
The prioritized areas will include those with indigenous peoples and what the government calls geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
“The Department has been bringing vaccination services nearer to the people and communities to boost the vaccination rollout,” the DOH said.
“In coordination with local government units (LGUs), and the private sector, pharmacies, primary care clinics, and occupational health clinics, as well as air, sea, and transportation terminals, are being utilized to reach more of the target population. The churches, parishes, and cathedrals are also extending its aid to serve as vaccination sites for a further reach of inoculation,” it added.
The DOH said the drive will reach senior citizens through house-to-house vaccination.
In its statement, the DOH stressed again that the benefits of being vaccinated far outweigh the risk of possible adverse events.
1.8 million target individuals
Meanwhile, the DOH aims to vaccinate a total of 1.8 million individuals. These include those due for a second dose, the remaining senior citizen population, and adolescents.
The DOH will coordinate with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission to excuse employees would have to be absent if their scheduled vaccination day falls on a working day.
“Everyone can get inoculated through the continuous vaccine operations and expansion through more accessible vaccination sites all over the country,” the DOH said.
The fourth drive will be conducted from March 10 to 12.
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