The Department of Health (DOH) reported that 67 million individuals were already fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
“As of April 1, meron na tayong (we have) 67 million fully vaccinated,” said DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje during a public briefing on Saturday, April 2.
Cabotaje said that 6.6 million out of the 8.7 million senior citizens in the Philippines have already completed the first two vaccine doses. Also, 2.1 million children aged five to 11 years old were fully vaccinated. The government is aiming to fully vaccinate 15 million children under this age bracket.
“Tapos yung 12 to 17 nasa 78 percent ang fully vaccinated (Then for the 12 to 17 , 78 percent were now fully vaccinated),” she added.
The Health official said they are hopeful to reach their target of fully vaccinating 90 million Filipinos before President Duterte’s term ends in June.
“With much difficulty, kailangan natin ipush. Napakalaki ng ating challenge (we still have to push . The challenge is huge),” she said.
“Alam naman natin tumumal ang ating pagbabakuna. Nag peak tayo nung November and then bumaba ng December. January, February pababa ng pababa dahil bumababa din ang mga kaso at naging complacent ang mga tao sa pagbabakuna (We know that our vaccination has slowed down. It peaked in November and then declined in December. By January, February the number of people availing vaccination decreased because the cases are declining—and this led people to become complacent in terms of vaccination),” she added.
“Akala nila tama na yung two dose at hindi na kailangan ang mga bakuna kasi wala namang mga kaso (They thought that the two doses were enough already and there's no need to receive additional vaccine doses because the number of cases is dropping),” she furthered.
Cabotaje said they are aiming to increase the vaccination coverage in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region.
Aside from doing house-to-house vaccination, Cabotaje said they are also strengthening vaccine information campaigns in the communities.
“Kailangan natin magkaroon ng social mobilizers. ibig sabihin, bago pumunta yung mag house-to-house, ay kailangan may magi–inform sa community ano yung mga side effects, ano yung mga bisa, etcetera para makumbinsi silang magpabakuna (We need to have social mobilizers. It means before vaccinators do house-to-house , they need first to inform the community what are the side effects and benefits in order to convince them to get vaccinated),” she said.
“By next week, sa tulong ng partners like UNICEF—magha-hire tayo ng social mobilizers para sa mga areas na mababa ang uptake ng bakuna (with the help of partners like UNICEF — we will hire social mobilizers for areas with low vaccine uptake),” she added.
Cabotaje said they are also planning to conduct more “special vaccination days” in some areas.
“After the Holy Week, we will have more special vaccination days in areas na mababa ang kanilang uptake (with low vaccine uptake),” she added.
The DOH also acknowledged that some vaccines are due to expire in the coming months but assured that the government is making further efforts not to waste these vaccines and be able to “reach and find the remaining individuals who have yet to receive a single-dose.”
“The government is taking steps in coordinating with vaccine manufacturers on the extension of vaccine shelf-life, close to expiring vials may be considered to be donated to neighboring countries for immediate utilization,” it said in a statement.
“All vaccination efforts are ongoing non-stop and special/national vaccination days have been implemented regularly to help boost these efforts. Further, accessibility of vaccines have improved as more and more sites open and utilization of other establishments such as pharmacies, clinics, schools, malls; sea, air, and transportation terminals have been made available for the public.”