Gov't eyes 3,500 shots in pilot run of pharmacy COVID-19 booster vaccinations

The Duterte administration is looking to administer 3,500 shots during the pilot run of COVID-19 booster vaccinations in seven pharmacies in Metro Manila, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles was referring to the pilot run of booster vaccinations in Mercury Drug, Watsons, Rose Pharmacy, Southstar Drug, and The Generics Pharmacy, as well as clinics Healthway and QualiMed, with the help of these private entities' personnel, set on January 20 to 21.

"This is only for booster shots, and people need to pre-register so we can manage the flow [of foot traffic]," Nograles said in a Palace briefing.

"The allocation is 500 per week per botika or clinic, so times seven, 3,500 is the initial [target]. [Gagawin natin ito] para makita natin ng flow ng demand," Nograles added.

(We are doing this to see to measure the demand for it.)

Nograles then said that the implementation of the said program was a shared responsibility of the private entities, such as pharmacies and clinics, and local government units which will provide the COVID-19 vaccine supply.

"Ultimately, we want to expand this nationwide," Nograles added.

There are at least 54 million Filipinos fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Tuesday, January 18, according to Nograles.

The government is eyeing to fully vaccinate 77 million Filipinos against COVID-19 by the end of March and 90 million by the end of June which is the end of President Rodrigo Duterte's term. — DVM, GMA News