Gov't to prioritize sectors for initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The Philippine government is planning to prioritize certain sectors for the initial distribution of free COVID-19 vaccines, aiming to cover 50 to 60 percent of the population.

This expanded target is a revision from the initial plan to vaccinate only 20 percent of the population.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that priorities for the vaccine rollout, including the poor, security forces, government frontline workers, and healthcare workers, will be finalized soon.

Vergeire also conceded that the logistical cost of delivering the vaccine across the country could be more expensive than the vaccine itself, especially if ultra-low freezer storage is required.

The Philippines plans to purchase an initial 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The DOH committed to ensuring transparency in the vaccination program.