According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the government plans to expand immunization locations across the country to include both public and private clinics to get more Filipinos inoculated against COVID-19.
Duque told Super Radyo dzBB that they are currently cooperating with the Philippine Medical Association on this program, part of the “Resbakuna sa mga Botika” initiative launched in January.
“Kausap na namin ‘yung Philippine Medical Association. Isa sa mga stratehiya na aming ipapatupad itong mga kilinika, both public at private na mga clinics, ay bubuksan na as vaccination sites,” he said.
(We are already talking to the Philippine Medical Association. One of the strategies we will implement is that these public and private clinics will be opened as vaccination sites.)
“Kung naalala ninyo, nung dalawang linggo nakaraan o tatlong linggo, ay inilunsad natin ‘yung Resbakuna sa Botika. Ngayon, ine-expand na natin ‘yung access even sa mga clinics sa mga communities para sa gayon ay mas madaling mapuntahan ng sinumang gustong magpabkauna at makakatulong ito sa pagtaas ng vaccination coverage,” he added.
(If you remember, two weeks or three weeks ago, we launched Resbakuna sa Botika. Now, we are expanding its access even to clinics in communities so that it will be easier for anyone who wants to get vaccinated to get the jab. This will also help increase our vaccination coverage.)
Public, private clinics to open as vaccination sites – Duque
On January 20, seven pharmacies and private clinics in Metro Manila took part in the initiative’s pilot run.
The National Task Force Against (NTF) COVID-19’s Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon previously stated that the “Resbakuna sa mga Botika” will considerably assist local government units and the Department of Health (DOH) in adding additional workers to vaccinate against the viral disease. It will also help decentralize immunizations rather than focusing on large vaccination centers in certain areas.
On Monday, the Department of Health said that over 63.6 million people, or 70.76 percent of the government’s target population, have received full COVID-19 vaccination. In the meanwhile, 10.5 million people have received booster doses.
By the end of March, the government hopes to have fully vaccinated 77 million Filipinos against COVID-19 and 90 million by the time Duterte leaves office on June 30.
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