GOVERNMENT is looking at using all 9 million doses of Janssen COVID-19 vaccines delivered recently so it could meet its target of fully vaccinating 54 million individuals by the end of the year, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said yesterday.
Aside from using the single-shot vaccine, the health department has also directed its field personnel to reach out to those already due for their second doses “and make sure that they get their second doses,” said Cabotaje, chair of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC).
She also said they intend to raise the target of regions with large populations and are able to conduct mass vaccination activities.
“We will look to offset those that cannot conduct vaccination because of the typhoon (“Odette”) by raising the target of other regions that can ramp up their vaccination efforts more,” she said.
Vince Dizon, presidential adviser for COVID response, said, “We will try our best to hit the goal of 54 million. It’s not easy but we will keep on pushing. Give us a few days, we’ll give you what our estimated target should be by the end of the year,” Dizon said.
NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the devastation brought by Odette posed a challenge to vaccination efforts but the 54-million target will be retained as of now.
Some 44.21 million individuals have been vaccinated individuals as of December 20, including about 56.3 million who have received the first dose and considered partially vaccinated.
As to the ongoing Phase 2 of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” program, Cabotaje said some 3.8 million individuals have been vaccinated since December 15, including about 2.1 million who got their second dose.
The government yesterday received 3.2 million doses of vaccines donated by the United States and France, bringing the total deliveries to 192.3 million doses.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said the 1.623 million doses of Pfizer vaccines delivered yesterday and 1.775 million doses delivered on Monday night bring the US donation to 3.4 million doses in 24 hours.
Variava said the donations are part of the US’ continuing worldwide effort to help end COVID-19. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
