The government will prioritize individuals living in far-flung areas as it is set to conduct the fourth round of the Covid-19 national vaccination drive (NVD) or "Bayanihan, Bakunahan," on March 10 to 12, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
The fourth national vaccination campaign aims to vaccinate 1.8 million people, the DOH said.
“The DOH, through the support of its partners, will reach remote and far-flung areas: locations where indigenuous people reside and those living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs),” the DOH said in a statement.
Senior citizens and adolescents will also be the main focus during the three-day vaccination campaign, the DOH said.
“The targets that were set for NVD4 are more contextualized in consideration of areas with low vaccination rates and coverage. Further, individuals due for second doses, the remaining senior citizen population (A2), as well as adolescents are among those set to be prioritized in the upcoming NVD4,” the DOH said.
The DOH encouraged all eligible Filipinos, aged five and above, to participate in this event.
“Everyone can get inoculated through continuous vaccine operations and expansion through more accessible vaccination sites all over the country,” it said.
“The DOH, together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), are working to cover and excuse employees and workers from absences if they are slated to be vaccinated in NVD4,” it added.
The DOH said it has been coordinating with other government agencies, private sector, pharmacies, primary care clinics, among others, in order to increase the vaccination coverage.
“Air, sea, and transportation terminals are being utilized to reach more of the target population,” it said.
“The churches, parishes, and cathedrals are also extending its aid to serve as vaccination sites for a further reach of inoculation. House-to-house vaccination is also being conducted to reach the elderly,” it added.
All the Covid-19 vaccines approved for use in the Philippines are effective and safe, the DOH said.
“Vaccination against Covid-19 combined with strict adherence to minimum public health standards still provide the maximum protection against the virus,” it said.
“Vaccinated and boosted individuals, especially those with comorbidities, have protection against having severe Covid-19, and getting hospitalized,” it added.