Expect possible lower vaccination turnout amid campaign period, election — health official

MANILA, Philippines — Expect possible lower vaccination turnout amid the campaign and election period, co-lead of the National Vaccination Operations Center said Saturday.

“Nakita na din natin, na-anticipate natin ‘yung possibility na fewer ‘yung magiging output ng ating local government units because of the election at saka sa pagca-campaign. Therefore, we are also looking at other means to vaccinate,” Dr. Kezia Lorraine Rosario said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(We see the possibility of a lower output from local government units because of the election and campaign.)

With this, the Department of Health is looking into tapping more service points and clinics of private physicians.

READ: COVID-19 jabs may now be administered in doctors’ clinics

The government is targeting to fully immunize 70 million individuals by the end of March.

READ: Duque: Gov’t eyes 77 million fully vaxxed vs COVID-19 by Q1 2022

As of March 9, about 63.9 million individuals in the country are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

READ: 63 million individuals in PH now fully vaccinated

During the fourth national vaccination days — initially set from March 10 to 12 and was extended until Tuesday for the general population and until Friday for the elderly — around 1.8 million were vaccinated.

READ: Gov’t reaches 97% of target in 4th ‘Bakunahan’ drive

Rosario reported that of the figure, around 255,000 were minors aged 12 to 17 and almost 100,000 were seniors.

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