DOH: COVID-19 vaccine rollout slow in some far-flung, conflict areas

The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has been slow in some areas that are far-flung or affected by conflict, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

Interviewed on Balitanghali, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said all regions have been improving their vaccine rollout but some are experiencing challenges.

“May mga konting pagkabagal doon po sa mga lugar na malalayo katulad po sa BARMM, because of the distribution, alam po natin may mga conflict areas diyan. Doon po sa ibang lugar din may mga far-flung areas katulad ng island groups,” she said.

(The rollout is a little slow in areas like BARMM because we know there are conflict areas there as well as in far-flung areas like island groups.)

“Pero generally, ‘pag tiningnan naman po natin, lahat po ay nakakaagapay at tumataas po ang performance ng bawat rehiyon o bawat LGU sa pagbabakuna,” she added.

(But generally, when we look at it, all areas are improving their rollout.)

Vergeire assured the public that more vaccines are on the way. She also said the DOH continues to intensify its education campaign to address vaccine hesitancy.

'Population protection'

The Philippines has vaccinated over 3.4 million individuals as of May 25, still far from the government's goal of inoculating 58 million people in COVID-19 hotspots this year.

Several government officials have said that they are targeting “population protection” in Metro Manila and eight other areas at high risk for COVID-19 by November 27. 

In a Palace briefing, government advisor Dr. Ted Herbosa said “population protection” means preventing severe illness and deaths among vulnerable groups such as health workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities.

“Importante na ‘yung ating year-end target, malinaw: [ang] ma-contain natin ‘yung disease sa mass vaccination na ginagawa natin at ma-achieve ‘yung population protection… Ito po ay ibabagsak ‘yung ating mga namamatay,” he said.

(It’s important that our year-end target is clear: to contain the disease and achieve population protection through mass vaccination. This will bring down deaths.)

The Philippines has logged 1,200,430 COVID-19 cases including 20,379 deaths as of Thursday afternoon. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News