MANILA -- The vaccination of individuals against COVID-19 will continue despite the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in some areas of the country and its impending implementation in the National Capital Region (NCR) on August 6 to 20, 2021.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr gave this assurance in a press briefing on August 2, 2021 where he ensured that vaccination drives are allowed as it is considered an essential activity to deliver health services to the people.
“Sasamantalahin natin ang ECQ para mas maparami pa ang mababakunahan. At tiwala tayo na magpapatupad ang mga lokal na pamahalaan nang mas maayos na pagbabakuna na may social distancing sa ating vaccination sites,” said Secretary Roque.
The Palace official also mentioned that while the continued vaccination is still subject to availability of supply, the NCR is assured of at least 2.5 million vaccine doses as per the assurance of Vaccine Czar and National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
Meanwhile, on the ability of Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) to fast-track the vaccination of their constituents, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairperson Benjamin Abalos Jr said that the NCR LGUs have already done more than 200,000 jabs a day before and it can be done again depending on supply.
To achieve the target of 250,000 daily jabs, Chair Abalos said that NCR LGUs are tapping the assistance of the private sector, including malls where vaccinations can be done. Abalos emphasized that what’s important is while vaccinations are continuing, measures are being done to control the surge in cases, since if there will be a surge, the availability of inoculators will be affected as they will be needed more in hospitals.
However, Abalos said house-to-house vaccinations may be impossible to do at this time considering the need for additional vaccinators. The MMDA Chair added that it is still best to do the inoculations in vaccine centers where more people can be provided service and where the process is continuous.
As of August 1, 2021, according to the National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard, there are now 20, 863, 544 total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide, while 9, 115, 963 have already been fully vaccinated.
“Pagdating naman po sa suplay ng bakuna, walang humpay po ang dating nito,” said Sec. Roque. The Palace official announced the arrival today, August 2, of 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the United Kingdom government.
Roque also mentioned about the August 3 delivery of 3,000,060 doses of Moderna vaccines donated by the United States government, and the delivery of one million doses of Sinovac vaccines this week.
Meanwhile, in the same press briefing, Dr. Edsel Salvana, a member of the national government’s Technical Advisory Group for COVID-19, underscored that a lockdown is not a permanent solution to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Dr. Salvana said that the lockdown is a preemptive measure to give the government time to fast-track vaccinations while there are still available vaccinators, since if a surge happens, they will be needed in hospitals to care for the sick. (OPS-PCOO)
