MAKATI CITY, (21 January 2022) – National Task Force against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. assured Filipinos that the national government is exerting all efforts to further expand the coverage of the country’s vaccination program.

This was the message of Galvez, as the national government launched the ‘Resbakuna sa Botika’ Program at the Qualimed Clinic here.

“Ang pinaka-benefit ng programang ito is ‘yong 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,” Galvez said in his remarks during the launch.

Through the program, pharmacies are now allowed to administer COVID-19 booster shots to all eligible adults, while clinics can administer both primary shots and booster doses.

According to Galvez, those who want to get their booster shots may pre-register at their chosen clinic or pharmacy, saying walk-ins can be accommodated provided there are still sufficient vaccine supplies.

However, he encouraged unvaccinated individuals to go directly to vaccination centers in their respective communities.

“As much as possible, pag first dose siya, pwede naman ma-accommodate sa clinic kasi meron silang mga doktor at response team,” Galvez said.

“But for the pharmacies, considering na wala silang doktor at meron lang silang response ambulance, ang strategy natin is talagang naka-program,” he added

More vaccination sites

The vaccine czar pointed out that the Resbakuna sa Botika Program will enable the national government to get the COVID-19 jab to the arms of more Filipinos, as partner pharmacies have thousands of outlets strategically located and spread across Metro Manila..

“Ang Mercury Drug, more than thousands ang kaniyang outlet. Ang Watson nasa hundreds. So ang effect niyan, kung ang Watsons magiging extension vaccination site, that is 100 vaccination sites. ‘Yong Qualimed marami ‘yan sa Bulacan, Ilo-Ilo at Laguna, at mage-expand pa sa NCR,” he said.

Galvez said that as of January 21, a total of 422 booster shots have been administered since the launching of the program on Thursday.

Of these doses, 110 were administered at Generika; 172 at SouthStar Drug; 80 at Mercury Drugstore; and 60 at Watsons.

As of January 21, the Philippines has already administered a total of 122,889,494 vaccine doses. Of this number, 57,095,695 are already fully vaccinated.

Ways forward

Galvez explained the country’s pandemic exit strategy aims to devolve the responsibility of implementing the national vaccine program from the national government to local government units and the private sector.

“Hindi sustainable ‘yung talagang national government would take care of everything. And I believe the private sector, the LGUs, and the different parts of our society want to have individual responsibility,” he said.

“So we wanted na ‘yon ang way forward. From stringent regulation to deregulation. Kasi marami namang nabakunahan and we have seen that the vaccines are very safe and effective,” Galvez added.

For her part, Makati Mayor Abigail Binay expressed the city government’s willingness to purchase COVID-19 vaccines once they become commercially available .

“Naniniwala kami sa bakuna. And giving equal access to everybody, to the vaccines that are readily available, Binay said.

“So yes, considering that we purchased 1 million doses of AstraZeneca for the initiatives of this pandemic, we will definitely consider buying, if [they] become commercially available,” she added.

Meanwhile, QualiMed Health Network Group COO Margaret Bengzon highlighted the strong partnership between the government and the private sector which is providing more Filipinos greater access to the vaccines.

“This launch we have today is just another example of great partnership in action. The whole point of the program ‘Resbakuna sa Botika’ is really to make vaccination more accessible and available by providing an alternative platform in administering the vaccines,” Bengzon said. ###