A medical students group on Thursday, Aug. 12, called for the "equitable" distribution of vaccines as the threat of the Delta variant looms.

"In terms of pandemic response, we must call for better surveillance and contact tracing system; expansive and more strategic testing; timely and adequate vaccine supply, equitable distribution, and administration," said Nicole Picart, President of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges - Student Network during Sibol: Cultivating the Youth as Vanguards of Social Justice.

"Vaccination to other areas which are not as urbanized but also needed," Picart added.

Picart also urged the national government to assure aid for vulnerable sectors and adequate staffing for healthcare workers.

"This pandemic has amplified already existing barriers to healthcare, to education, to safety, and to many other aspects. It's important that we do not forget that we deserve better from our government," she continued.

"Let's keep calling for medical solutions to overcome this public health crisis such as mass testing and increasing the healthcare capacity."

The group also lamented the national government's militaristic pandemic response and "misplaced priorities" during the onslaught of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

"Since the pandemic began, the administration has been more focused on a militaristic response, while the pillars of a good pandemic response -- particularly vaccination, contact tracing, and mass testing remain insufficient," Picart added.

As of Aug. 11, about 12,027,383 individuals have already been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Over 26.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered. Of the number, 14.1 million were given as first dose.