NTF recommends vaccination of non-priority individuals

The National Task Force against COVID-19 on Saturday recommended the vaccination of Metro Manila residents who wish to get inoculated against the illness, even if they do not belong to any priority group.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report “24 Oras Weekend,” the NTF made the suggestion after the wish of Metro Manila Mayors to receive 4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines was approved.

“Sapat ‘yung supply na iyon para sa [National Capital Region or NCR]. Bubuksan na natin kung sino ‘yung gustong magpabakuna, babakunahan na natin. Oo, ‘yun ang target natin. Ubusin ‘yun habang naka [enhanced community quarantine or ECQ] tayo,” testing czar Vince Dizon said.

(That supply is enough for NCR. We will open the slots to anyone wishing to get vaccinated. That is our target, to use up the supply during the ECQ period.)

Around 30% have been fully vaccinated in the NCR.

Nationwide, the government has so far administered 20 million doses, with more than 8 million Filipinos being fully vaccinated.

“We have to increase the number of vaccination sites. Kailangan mag-innovate tayo (We need to innovate),” Dizon said.

Earlier, authorities launched a drive-thru vaccination site at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

“At least dito kahit papaano, umulan o bumagyo, medyo komportable naman ‘yung pami-pamilya (At least through this, families are comfortable even during bad weather)… Ang rule kasi dito (The rule here) is 1 plus 3 so you can bring your family here in this drive-thru vaccination,” Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said.

Authorities are seeking to vaccinate 400 people this day.

The local government reminded that walk-ins are prohibited. -Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM, GMA News