Palace backs pharmacists, midwives as vaccinators

Malacañang has expressed support for a proposal to expand the pool of vaccinators by allowing pharmacists and midwives to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque highlighted the necessity of a large workforce for the ambitious goal of vaccinating 70 million Filipinos this year.

Roque cited the United States' practice of utilizing medical and nursing students as an example for the Philippines to follow.

The Department of Health (DOH) is currently evaluating the feasibility of this proposal, with the condition that vaccinations by these professionals would be supervised by a physician.

Previously, it was announced that approximately 25,000 individuals are undergoing training to become vaccine administrators.

The DOH has also identified 4,512 fixed vaccination sites across the country where the immunization program will be carried out.