DOH: Government mulls conducting yearly COVID-19 vaccinations

The Philippine government is studying the possibility of conducting a yearly COVID-19 vaccination program, the Department of Health said Saturday.

"Tinatantiya ng ating mga eksperto na magiging trangkaso na lang [ang COVID], sa trangkaso mayroon tayong tinatawag na yearly flu shots. 'Pag nagkataon 'yan, baka kailangan taunang bakuna, titingnan din kung lahat ba ng population o 'yung high risk at vulnerable lamang," health undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said at the Laging Handa briefing.

(Our experts estimate that COVID-19 will be like the flu. We have yearly shots for the flu. In case we may need an annual vaccination for COVID, the government is looking if it would be administered to the entire population or only for high-risk and vulnerable individuals.)

Cabotaje said accelerating and expanding the vaccination program was under President Rodrigo Duterte's 10-point agenda on sustaining and accelerating the country's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through a whole-of-government approach.

"Kailangan nating palawakin ang ating mga bakuna center, papuntahin sa mas malapit na bakuna center ang ating mga mamamayan, mas mapabilis at mapadali natin ang procedures para magpabakuna sila, at alisin natin 'yung mga hindi kailangan na restrictions," Cabotaje said.

(We need to expand our vaccination centers, encourage our citizens to go to the nearest vaccination center, speed up and facilitate the procedures for them to get vaccinated, and remove unnecessary restrictions.)

Cabotaje reported that as of March 24, 65.5 million Filipinos were vaccinated against COVID-19, with 11.7 million booster doses administered.

Vaccinations in this month's fourth wave of the "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" national vaccination drive surpassed the national government's target.

Cabotaje said a special vaccination day would be conducted in Region 11, Cebu province, and Cotabato City from March 29 to 31, 2022, and in the BARMM from March 30 to April 1, 2022. — DVM, GMA News