GOVERNMENT yesterday launched the COVID-19 booster shot campaign in Parañaque City, with Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire expressing confidence the Department of Health (DOH) will meet the target of boosting 23 million individuals in the first 100 days of the administration of President Marcos Jr.
“When we look at the history of what we did last year, we can meet the target as long as we have the same interest and cooperation from everybody,” said Vergeire, DOH officer-in-charge, after the launch of the “PinasLakas” booster campaign.
The 23-million target, when added to the current 15.93 million boosted population, will amount to 39 million Filipinos with up-to-date vaccination.
“That would translate to around 397,000 first booster shots administered per day until we reach the first 100 days of this administration,” said Vergeire.
In a bid to meet the target, Vergeire rallied all stakeholders, especially local governments, to help the DOH by establishing as many vaccination sites as possible.
In particular, she said it is important to establish vaccination sites in public places, such as transport terminals, schools, places of worship, and markets.
“What would be most important would be the numbers to be submitted by the local governments every day because it will be used to check our progress and to see if they are at par with the targets we have set,” said Vergeire.
If the target is met, it would be possible for the Marcos government to further ease COVID-19 restrictions, she said adding this was ascertained by Marcos during their recent meeting.
“If we are able to meet the target, then probably we can ease some of the restrictions. We will see after this 100th day where we stand and on what restrictions can be lifted by that time,” said Vergeire.
