THE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said pharmacies and clinic that will be tapped as vaccination sites to expand the government’s vaccination program will collect minimal administration fee as cost of services from vaccinees.
During the briefing of the House Committee on Health chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan, Health Undersecretary and National Vaccination Operations Center Chair Myrna Cabotaje said the government will roll out the vaccination program in pharmacies on January 20.
“We are still discussing [how much is the administration fee]. It’s the admin fee for patients, the vaccinees. Like in private sector for our regular vaccination. We give the vaccines free but there is small administration fee. We are negotiating that portion,” she said.
“If they don’t like [to be vaccinated] in the pharmacy, they can go to LGUs [vaccination centers], it’s totally free. Maybe for short term they [pharmacies] can waive administration charges, but for long term it will be hard for them because they have to pay the vaccinators, who will be out of their regular job,” she added.
Cabotaje said the government will roll out the program first in select pharmacies in National Capital Region.
“We are starting to roll out the strategy. On January 20 we will have rollout in identifying pilot sites one from Mercury [Drug],” she added.
Cabotaje also assured the public doctors will still do health screening before the vaccination.
“Two ways. Pre-screening before going to the pharmacy, or there is doctor that will screen. Or self-screening and then we will also train our paramedical to do some screening and there will be a doctor that will be available for adverse events.
We are working closely with local government units,” she added.
Meanwhile, Cabotaje reported that as of January 17, 2022, a total of 118,944,889 doses were already administered covering 100.34 percent of the A1 priority group, or the workers in the frontline health services with at least one dose and 91.96 percent of those fully vaccinated.
Lagging behind in the vaccine coverage are the EA3 group or pregnant women, with only 19.49 percent of those with at least one dose and 12.15 percent of those fully vaccinated; while 22.75 percent of the Pediatric A3 or 12-17 years old with comorbidities, with at least one dose and 15.57 percent of those fully vaccinated were covered.
Overall, she said the coverage of individuals with at least one dose is at 81.59 percent and 70.54 percent of those fully vaccinated.
The DOH targets 100 percent of the eligible population or 111 million individuals with primary vaccination series and with booster or additional dose in 2022.
HCW benefits
On the health-care workers (HCWs) benefits, Assistant Secretary Maylene Beltran said a total of P16.188 million was released as of the latest while P7.98-million Special Risk allowance (SRA) was disbursed for 496,314 HCWs. More than P401 million was disbursed for meals, accommodation, and transportation (MAT) allowance for 106,115 HCWs.
On the latest Covid-19 situation, DOH Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Thea de Guzman said the increase in cases is present in all regions and all provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs) and independent component cities (ICCs).