The government plans to expand the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination drive in pharmacies nationwide by mid-February.
In a television interview on Saturday, Department of Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said they are targeting to expand the vaccination drive to the rest of the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, and Calabarzon under Phase 2.
“Phase 3 nationwide may be [held] in the second week of February,” said Cabotaje, also the National Vaccination Operations Center chair.
She said 1,860 individuals aged 18 years old and above have received their booster shots since the vaccination drive began in seven pharmacies two days ago.
Pharmacies are allowed to administer Covid-19 booster shots to adults while clinics can administer both primary and booster doses.
“Ang pinaka-benefit ng programang ito is ‘yung tinatawag nating bayanihan kung sama-sama. So lahat ng mga pwedeng tumulong from the private sector, sama-sama tayo para ang bakuna ay magiging accessible pa sa lahat ng Pilipino (The main benefit of this program is unity and cooperation. Anybody from the private sector who wants to help, let’s all get togeter to make vaccines accessible to all Filipinos),” National Task Force against Covid-19 chief Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said during Friday’s vaccination activity at QualiMed clinic in Makati City.
Vaccination initially began in five pharmacies and two clinics in the NCR – Mercury Drug Quirino Avenue, Malate, Manila; Southstar Drug Marikina; Watsons at SM Center Pasig; Generika Drugstore in Signal 1, Taguig; The Generics Pharmacy in Barangay Sun Valley, Parañaque; QualiMed Clinic McKinley Road, Makati; and Healthway Manila clinic in Ermita.
“Vaccination in pharmacies and clinics will be free for the entire week of the pilot run,” she said.
The government is also looking into different strategies to sustain free vaccination in pharmacies and clinics for this year. One option is through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PNA)
