DOH, NTF remind public on vaccine priority for healthcare workers

The Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) jointly reiterated that the prioritization framework for the country's COVID-19 vaccination program should be strictly complied.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire and DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that the limited vaccine doses must be prioritized for healthcare workers who need them most.

Duque mentioned that recent reports of non-healthcare workers being inoculated have already been referred to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Vergeire reiterated the World Health Organization's directive that all COVAX-supplied vaccines must be administered to the agreed-upon priority groups, starting with healthcare workers.

Vaccinating individuals not on the priority list before all healthcare workers have received their shots would endanger subsequent COVAX deliveries.

NTF Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez assured that the government is exhausting all efforts to secure enough vaccines for the entire population, emphasizing the priority for healthcare workers due to their high exposure and risk.

The Philippines is expecting free vaccines from the COVAX facility to cover 15% to 20% of its population in 2021.

So far, the country has received 525,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, with millions more anticipated if commitments are met.