Health Usec. Vergeire to lead nat’l vaccination ops center

MANILA, Philippines — Health Sec. Francisco Duque III designated Health Usec. Maria Vergeire as the next head of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

This means Vergeire will succeed the leadership of Usec. Myrna Cabotaje is set to finish her term on June 30, 2022, as the Incident Manager of the NVOC.

“This succession is meant to avoid gaps in implementation of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program, as the new administration transitions in. The Department, including Usec. Vergeire will welcome the guidance and decisions of the incoming administration as regards the leadership of NVOC,” said the DOH in a statement.

Vergeire then confirmed this during a media briefing the same day but clarified that it might still change depending on the President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration — who has yet to name his health secretary.

“That is the assignment. Pero syempre kapag pumasok po ‘yung bagong administrasyon, maari pa rin po magbago iyan (but of course when the new administration comes in, that can still change),” Vergeire said.

She then thanked Cabotaje, stressing her efforts and her “excellent way” of leadership.

Before this, Vergeire served as the health department’s spokesperson during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also served as the deputy director-general of the Food and Drug Administration under the Aquino administration.

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