PARTIDO Lakas ng Masa (PLM) standard bearer Leody de Guzman has called on the national government to take steps to prevent wastage of COVID-19 vaccines as he pointed out that there are still areas of the country with low vaccination rates.
As the country joins the observance of World Health Day today (April 5), the presidential aspirant stressed that COVID-19 remains a global threat while vaccinating the general population has proven effective in controlling the pandemic.
De Guzman, an advocate for workers’ rights, voiced concern over the disclosure made by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion that 27 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines are set to expire in less than three months.
“Health advocates have informed me that the problem is rooted in the lack of cold storage facilities, particularly for isolated municipalities and areas with lower than 60 percent vaccination rates,” he said.
The labor leader said rather than shipping the vaccines to other countries, the government should prioritize reaching under-served areas and vulnerable sectors, particularly senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and minors with compromised immune systems.
He said local government units and the private sector should be tapped to help provide cold chain facilities to extend the reach of vaccines in the remaining months before they become unusable.
De Guzman also pointed out that the vaccination program can be tied with government employment programs as additional manpower is required to disseminate information in the rural areas about the advisability of getting shots to protect people from coronavirus infection.
He noted that even in the barangay level there are primary health care teams that are capable of providing support to health professionals to administer vaccines.
Where there are bigger populations, he proposed house-to-house visits and opening of 24/7 vaccinations sites to accommodate those who are working odd hours.
“Dapat pakilusin ang mga Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams o BHERT, at kung kinakailangan ay mag-tap ng mga medical societies at socio-civic organizations para dito,” he said.
