Robredo seeks vaccination of 750,000 people a day during NCR August lockdown

Vice President Leni Robredo said Wednesday that 750,000 people should be vaccinated against COVID-19 on a daily basis to curb COVID-19 transmission during the Metro Manila lockdown scheduled from August 6 to 20.

Robredo was referring to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocol  which will take effect in Metro Manila wherein only essential trips and essential services such as food and medicines are allowed to operate.

"Narinig po natin ‘yung sinabi ng Palasyo na gustong maging “last ever lockdown” itong paparating na ECQ sa NCR.  Para marating ‘yung goal na ‘yun, kailangang tingnan ang lockdown bilang stopgap measure lang. Hindi ito gagana kung lahat ng ibang pandemic measures naka-status quo lang," Robredo said.

(The Palace is saying it is hoping this is the last lockdown. To reach such goal, this lockdown should be viewed as a stopgap measure only. This will not work if everything is on status quo.)

"Pinakamahalaga, ‘yung bakuna, dapat paabutin ng 750,000 a day ang nababakunahan para mapabilis ‘yung pag-abot natin sa herd immunity," she added.

(The most important is the COVID-19 vaccination. 750,000 people should be vaccinated everyday for us to reach herd immunity.)

Robredo's figure is way higher than the target set by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin Abalos, Jr. who earlier said that Metro Manila mayors will administer 250,000 a day during the upcoming NCR lockdown since vaccination is considered an essential activity.

Likewise, the Vice President said COVID-19 testing should be increased from 50,000 to 120,000 per day.

"Dapat umabot ng at least 120,000 ‘yan para natutukoy talaga natin ang mga lugar na dapat tutukan," Robredo added.

(We need to increase it to 120,000 a day so we can pinpoint areas where there needs to be an intensified response.)

The Philippines has recorded 216 cases of the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus so far.

The Health department has said that the Delta variant can infect five to eight people.

Only 9.8 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated so far, way behind the target of vaccinating 70% of the country's 109 million population by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity.—AOL, GMA News