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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH: Marcos keen on raising PH's Covid-19 booster uptake

DOH: Marcos keen on raising PH's Covid-19 booster uptake

Published Jul 19, 2022 04:24 pm

The Department of Health looks to administer Covid-19 booster shots to half of the eligible population in President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first 100 days.

(MB file photo / Muntinlupa PIO)

In a television interview on DZMM Teleradyo on Monday night, July 19, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, DOH's officer-in-charge stated that Marcos values the science and evidence backing Covid-19 boosters and the immunity that it can provide for the population.

She revealed that as part of Marcos' directives to increase the country's booster uptake, the agency is looking to administer at least 23 million COVID-19 booster shots within the first 100 days of his presidency. In relation to this, according to Vergeire, Marcos told them to make booster shots available and accessible to communities which is now part of DOH's plans for the first 100 days.

"Buo na ho yung plano namin, nakapag-meeting na kami sa iba't ibang ahensya (Our plan is complete, we already met with different agencies)," she said.

"We were also able to meet our Centers for Health Development (CHDs), our Regional Offices, we were also able to meet our hospitals," she added.

According to DOH's data, of the total eligible population of 65,340,001 the government has boosted 15,592,533 of this, there are 49,747,468 individuals left due for boosters. Vergeire stated that it's not really realistic to provide booster shots to the entire eligible population within the first 100 days.

Given this target, Vergeire said that the whole country including the implementing agencies should be able to administer Covid-19 booster shots to around 397,000 to 400,000 eligible individuals.

Vergeire, together with the DOH, met with Marcos at the Malacañang Palace on Monday. Part also of the conversation was that if there will be an improvement in the booster coverage, the government can confidently ease or loosen more restrictions.

Meanwhile, Vergeire mentioned that a law is required to mandate Covid-19 vaccination.

"Karapatan pa rin ng ating mga kababayan na mamili kung sila ay magpapabakuna o hindi (It's still the right of citizens to choose whether or not they want to get vaccinated)," she added.

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