Metro Manila will be given 2.5 million doses of coronavirus vaccines during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) instead of the four million sought by its mayors from the national government, Malacañang said on Monday, August 2.
In his virtual media briefing, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque noted the allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine doses to Metro Manila depends on the availability of the vaccine supply.
“Alam ko po nang huli kong tinanong si Secretary (Carlito) Galvez (Jr.) ang siguradong sigurado hanggang 2.5 million (I know the last time I asked Secretary Galvez he was very sure of the 2.5 million),” he said.
Metro Manila residents would still be getting their COVID-19 vaccines during the third reimposition of the ECQ, the strictest lockdown in the capital region.
The National Capital Region (NCR) will be under lockdown starting August 6 to 20 to curb the spread of the highly transmissible and contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.
READ: Vaccination in NCR will continue amid 2-week ECQ — NTF spokesman
Its local chief executives earlier requested for four million vaccine shots to continue the vaccination of their people when the NCR shifts to the most restrictive lockdown starting on Friday.
Section 2 on the Guidelines for Areas Placed Under ECQ of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines stated that “gatherings that are essential for the provision of health services are allowed.”
The spokesperson said they would look into the possibility of still adding more doses to meet the needs of the NCR LGUs, as requested by the mayors.
“Kung subject to supply po pagbibigyan naman po ‘yan... Titingnan po nila kung maabot nila ‘yung 4 million (If that’s subject to supply, that could be granted...They would see if they can provide 4 million),” Roque said.
Over 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the United Kingdom arrived in the Philippines on Monday.
Another three million doses of the Moderna vaccine from the United States government will also arrive this week.
READ: 3 million Moderna vaccines doses to arrive next week – Dizon
As of July 31, the national government has so far administered 19.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. There were 11.5 million Filipinos who have received their first dose while 7.8 million have been fully vaccinated.