COVID-19 vaccines will be completely rolled out to the public starting the third quarter of 2021, said Carlito Galvez Jr.
“For the quarter three or Q3, iyong third quarter, we will start our massive nationwide rollout,” said the vaccine czar during a briefing. During this time, sizable deliveries of 30 to 50 million doses acquired by the Philippine government are scheduled to arrive together with the rest of allocated doses from the COVAX facility.
Meanwhile, Galvez claimed that the government wishes to finish vaccinating its target of 50 to 70 million Filipinos within the last quarter of 2021.
“With limited available doses, ini-intend po natin ma-prioritize po natin ang ating healthcare workers which is 1.7 million to preserve our healthcare system and the government essential services and institution, including the uniformed personnel,” Galvez said.
Healthcare workers are the top priority for the government’s vaccination program, followed by indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, and the indigent population. Meanwhile, uniformed personnel come in fifth.
The Philippines is expected to acquire 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for 2021. The vaccine czar claimed that they are preparing for supply agreements and finalizing all the necessary contracts by mid-February.
