CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- National Task Force (NTF) against COVID 19 Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., has encouraged all local government units (LGUs) to prioritize the administration of the second dose especially of Sinovac vaccines within the next two weeks in order to address slippages in deliveries.

“We are encouraging all LGUs across the country to concentrate in ensuring their constituents are fully vaccinated and they have the full protection of the vaccines. We are seeing a disparity in our national vaccination report wherein out of the 11 million jab administered, only 2.8 million were fully vaccinated. This should be addressed by our implementing units,” Galvez said during Monday's briefing.

In an advisory released by the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) signed by Galvez on July 4, LGUs were notified of the delays in the arrival of Sputnik V component II vaccines and the weekly delivery of Sinovac vaccines.

The advisory directed all implementing units, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR) plus 8 -- Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, and Rizal -- to focus on completely vaccinating those who have received the first shot of Sinovac vaccines until the supply for the vaccine brand will become stable.

Likewise, the LGUs must immediately utilize the intended first doses of other vaccine brands such as Moderna, Pfizer, and Sputnik V.

The rest of the implementing units were asked to ensure the administration of the second shot of Sinovac vaccines in the next two weeks.

In the National Capital Region, which has been identified as among the “centers of gravity” in the country in terms of COVID 19 cases, 1,214,855 individuals have been fully vaccinated, while 3,682,323 people have received their first dose.

The National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) has so far deployed a total of 14,841,740 doses nationwide out of the 17,455,470 doses that have arrived in the country, while other doses (mostly for second dose) are now being deployed from the national warehouses to the different vaccination areas.

The NVOC has likewise noted that more than 5.7 million doses deployed to LGUs still have to be administered to their constituents which are mostly intended for the second dose.

“We have to look into this matter seriously and act on it fast because based on studies, the full protection against the new variants of COVID-19, particularly the Delta variant, can only be assured when an individual is fully vaccinated with two doses,” Galvez said.

“We also call on every Filipino, especially those who have received their first dose to come back to your respective vaccination sites for your second dose as indicated in your vaccination cards,” he said.

"Remember that this is not just for your safety and protection but for the protection of your families, co-workers, and communities. Marami pong buhay ang nakasalalay sa bawat isa sa atin,” Galvez added.

The vaccine czar also emphasized that though some individuals may not show up for their scheduled second dose due to illness and other medical conditions, they are still eligible to get their second shot on a later date.

"We have to maintain focus in our strategy to achieve population protection, especially the vulnerable sectors – the elderly and people with comorbidities particularly in the priority areas. Let us also focus on providing full protection to our people by not losing sight in administering the second dose of at least 5 million in this month of July," Galvez emphasized. (NTF/PIA-NCR)