Philippines forms task group for COVID-19 vaccination program

The Philippines has formed a task group in preparation for its COVID-19 vaccination program, Malacañang announced Friday.

Headed by the Department of Health (DOH), the COVID-19 Immunization Program Management Organizational Structure is under the National Task Force Against COVID-19, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, citing the decision of the policy-making Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on Thursday.

“The DOH has been directed to immediately convene the Task Group COVID-19 Immunization Management and establish sub-task groups as necessary,” Roque said.

“The creation of a Task Force is to ensure the successful and efficient deployment of COVID-19 vaccines to target population.”

The government plans to vaccinate around 20 million Filipinos for free. Priority will be given to the poor, policemen and soldiers.

Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña had previously said that a vaccine would not be available until mid-2021.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he would give preference to the vaccines being developed by Russia and China because other countries allegedly asked for advance payment.

Duterte also said he wants a government-to-government deal for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.

Roque earlier said that the government needs to establish a cold chain as vaccines should be stored at sub-zero temperatures.

Chinese pharmaceutical companies involved in developing a vaccine had also asked that the Philippines be ready with adequate cold chain storage facilities.

Both the Palace and the Department of Budget and Management assured the public that the government has funds for cold storage facilities. —KBK, GMA News