The chief implementer of the government’s national policy on Covid-19, Carlito G. Galvez Jr., said the government is looking to deploy over 25 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines in the next two months.
During the public address President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday, Galvez said: “We are very confident that by June or July we will have 25 million available vaccines,” Galvez said.
“We should have a better Christmas this year. So our strategy once we get the 25 million doses is to vaccinate those who are vulnerable so we could reduce the burden of disease, death, and hospitalization [from Covid-19],” he added.
He noted this will allow the government to achieve at least “herd containment.”
The government is eyeing to vaccinate 58 million to 70 million Filipinos this year to achieve “herd immunity,” wherein most of the country’s population will inoculated therefore also protecting those who are not yet given the vaccine. Currently, the government has 7 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.
Of which, 2 million were already administered to the vulnerable sectors, who are mostly health care workers, senior citizens, those with comorbidities, and frontline economic workers.
The other 3 million doses are being prepared for deployment, while remaining 2 million doses are being reserved for the second dose for those, who already got their first jab in previous weeks.
Galvez said they are coordinating with local government units on how to effectively utilize their remaining stock vaccines.
If our vaccination [deployment] proceeds well, we might achieve herd immunity at an earlier date.