The Department of Health (DOH) has been designated to head the new government task group that will implement the country’s coronavirus immunization program.
In preparation for the eventual availability of the COVID vaccine, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has formed the COVID-19 Immunization Program Management Organizational Structure and directed the DOH to immediately convene the task group.
"The COVID-19 Immunization Program Management Organizational Structure will be under the National Task Force Against COVID-19 with the Department of Health (DOH) as its lead,” he said in a statement.
"The DOH has been directed to immediately convene the Task Group COVID-19 Immunization Management and establish sub-task groups as necessary. The creation of a Task Force is to ensure the successful and efficient deployment of COVID-19 vaccines to target population,” he said.
President Duterte recently announced that the planned purchase of a coronavirus vaccine will be made through a government-to-government arrangement.
Duterte said he wanted to avoid private traders supposedly to avoid corruption in the vaccine acquisition.
The government has set aside an initial P2.5 billion for the purchase of the COVID vaccine under the proposed 2021 national budget.
The President had said he would prioritize the poor, policemen, and soldiers in the free immunization drive.
With the financing and distribution scheme already in place, the Palace said the government has started preparations for the eventual importation and storage of the coronavirus vaccine. Cold storage facilities will be needed to keep the efficacy of the life-saving drugs, Roque said.