Senate caps off inquiry on gov't COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan

The Senate on Friday concluded its inquiry on the government's COVID-19 immunization program after three hearings this month with the hope that the actual vaccine rollout will be as good as the presentation of the executive branch.

"Many issues were clarified, particularly the pricing of the vaccines, rollout plan, the timeline, and the modes of procurement of vaccines by LGUs and private entities," Senate President Vicente Sotto III said in his closing message.

"We'd like to remind Secretary (Carlito) Galvez Jr. of his promise to keep this body posted on the [updates] relative to the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccines at the proper time. May the vaccine rollout be a success. This hearing is hereby adjourned," he added.

In the series of hearings, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said over 4,000 fixed vaccination points had already been identified nationwide.

There will be three teams of vaccinators in every facility, and each team needs to inoculate 100 individuals per day.

The Philippine government aims to administer COVID-19 vaccines to up to 70 million people this year, and the rollout may start in February, according to vaccine czar  Galvez.

He said the completion of all vaccine deals with manufacturers is expected within the month or in early February.

Due to the confidentiality disclosure agreements with vaccine makers, the senators were not able to elicit specific vaccine prices from the executive officials during the hearings but Galvez vowed to make them public once the supply agreements are finalized.

The Congress allocated P72.5 billion for COVID-19 vaccines under the 2021 budget and an additional P10 billion under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.—AOL, GMA News