Duterte approves COVID-19 vaccination of general population starting October
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved COVID-19 vaccination of the general population starting October, Malacañang said.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque during the televised briefing today, Sept. 28, confirmed that Duterte has approved the order. Roque added that the coverage includes minors, but he did not specify an age.
“Pinaghahandaan palang namin yung masterlisting para sa kabataan. Pag meron na pong masterlist, hintayin po natin ang announcement kung sino ang mauuna” Roque said when asked about the vaccination of children who will be participating in the limited face-to-face class.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez earlier recommended for the president to include 12 to 17-year-olds for the vaccination of the general population in October. This is due to the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of using Pfizer and Moderna for 12 to 17 years old.
Roque also quoted the statement of Duterte that they are expecting to get 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of October.
“We will get a total of at least 100 million doses by the end of October, which means that maybe we can expand the vaccination program to the general population and hopefully also our children within October,” Duterte said in his talk to the people on Sep. 27. 2021.
As of Sep. 27, government data indicate 72.43% of the population in Metro Manila have completed their doses against COVID-19. Roque said that Metro Manila is near to achieving population protection.
(Thumbnail and banner photo by Andy G. Zapata / The Philippine STAR)