NTF bares continuity plan on national vaxx program, prepares transition supply for 2022

THE National Task Force against COVID-19 said it has recalibrated the country’s vaccination program in order to ensure the sustainability of supply, secure access to the latest generation of vaccines, and complete the immunization of 80 to 90 percent of the country’s population by the first quarter of next year.

During the President’s Talk to the People address on Monday, NTF Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. reported that the updated vaccination program will show the lessons learned about the ongoing vaccine rollout, including the government’s experiences in dealing with the various COVID-19 variants.

Galvez said that the task force is studying the current trend in the global vaccine supply and the rollout of local government units across the country to determine their storage, distribution, and administration capacities.

He added that prime consideration was given to real world data on the efficacy of various vaccines, the advice of health experts in increasing the percentage of the target population from 80 percent up to 90 percent, and the upcoming 2022 national elections, which he said could be a potential “super spreader” event.

“In order to achieve ‘yung effective population protection at saka po ‘yung herd immunity, kailangan po iangat po natin ng 80 to 90 percent kasi nakita natin ‘yung experiences ng ibang bansa gaya ng Singapore and Israel,” said Galvez.

So, sa plano po natin, kailangan matapos na natin bakunahan ang mga tao by February, bago iyong election period natin. Para just in case magkaroon ng violations [on minimum public health standards], at least bakunado po ang mga tao,” he continued.

Galvez said that the updated vaccination plan will be presented to the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for its approval.

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