7 million must be vaccinated in NCR to trigger economic recovery —OCTA

The government needs to vaccinate around seven million residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) to trigger economic recovery, OCTA Research fellow Prof. Guido David said Thursday.

In an interview on Balitanghali, David said 30 to 50 percent of Filipinos residing in Metro Manila should get COVID-19 jabs to control transmission and to prevent another outbreak.

“Nasa seven million people sa NCR na kailangan ma-vaccinate…Hopefully by the third quarter. Kapag nagawa na natin ‘yon mas mabilis ang economic recovery. ‘Di pa naman old normal pero maluluwagan ang restrictions sa mga businesses,” David said.

[Around seven million people in the NCR should be vaccinated. Hopefully, by the third quarter of this year. If we are able to do that, economic recovery will happen sooner. Our situation may not be like the old normal but we can ease restrictions in business establishments.]

David also emphasized that the lifting of restrictions should also be calibrated to ensure safety of the people.

As of April 20, the Philippines has vaccinated a total of 1,353,107 Filipinos since the start of vaccination program rollout last March 1.

The breakdown of those inoculated are as follows:

• A1 (health workers) - 989,703
• A2 (senior citizens) - 132,948
• A3 (persons with comorbidities) - 180,315

After the inoculation of the medical frontliners, senior citizens, and people with comorbidities, the government will inoculate the labor force.

On Wednesday, the private sector said it will appeal to the government to give them more flexibility in vaccinating their employees who are included in the A4 priority group against COVID-19. — Hana Bordey/BM, GMA News