MALACANANG (07 February 2022) — Inspired by the overwhelming success of the two rounds of the National Vaccination Days (NVD) held last year, the national government is now preparing for a third massive rollout scheduled from February 10 to 11.

During President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Talk to the People public address on Monday, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said the third NVD aims to administer at least six million vaccine doses in two days.

“Ang intention po natin, Mr. President, ay makapagtala po tayo ng 2 million individuals for primary doses at 4 million doses for boosters, Galvez said.

“We have to push for the administration of boosters to provide additional layers of protection kasi po darating po ang araw talagang after three months to six months, mayroon na pong waning effect ang ating mga vaccine,” he added.

For the third NVD, Galvez said the government will expand and reactivate all vaccination sites and strengthen partnerships with private sector organizations, medical clinics and medical schools in order to mobilize more human resources for vaccination.

According to the vaccine czar, all line agencies will be involved in the vaccination drive, in which the process will be further simplified to allow walk-ins.

Expanding vaccination for children

Aside from the NVD 3, the government will also continue to expand the vaccination rollout for children aged five to 11.

After the mini-rollout of the vaccination program for the said age group in 32 vaccination sites on Monday, a total of 9,784 children were inoculated.

“Ang pagbabakuna po ng edad five hanggang 11 ay isa sa pinaka-critical at importanteng milestones ng ating National Vaccination Program. Una, dahil itong sektor pong ito ay kumakatawan sa mga batang mag-aaral sa ating mga basic education, at ito rin po ang most affected and most sensitive part of our society,” Galvez said.

“Pero natutuwa po kami, Mr. President, that despite the noise of the anti-vaxxers, we have the overwhelming support of the different medical associations, particularly the Philippine Pediatric Association, the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, the Philippine Medical Association, the private sector, even the US Embassy at saka ‘yung WHO ad UNICEF,” he added.

The initial rollout of the children’s vaccination will continue until February, and is expected to expand to all regions by February 14.

For his part, Presidential Adviser on COVID-19 Response Secretary Vince Dizon also emphasized the importance of administering the COVID-19 jab to the younger population.

“Vaccinating our children po, ito po ‘yung matagal na nating hinihintay. Lagi niyo [President Duterte] pong sinasabi naalala po namin, paulit-ulit kayo, na we really have to protect our children kasi nakakaawa po sila,” Dizon said.

“Tinatamaan din po sila ng COVID and they are really vulnerable to this dahil hindi sila bakunado. Kaya po, I think, this will be a lasting legacy that you will be leaving to protect our children, especially now as we try to reopen face-to-face classes this year after two years,” he added.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque called on Filipino parents to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect them from possible complications that may be caused by the virus.

“So nananawagan po ako sa mga nanay at tatay na payagan bakunahan ang inyo pong mga anak laban sa COVID-19, at ito pong ating mga bakuna ay tunay na ligtas, epektibo, dekalidad, at sila po ay libre,” Duque said.

During the program, President Duterte also issued a strong message against those who continuously resist being vaccinated against COVID-19, saying that such a mindset could possibly lead to the loss of life.

“Ang hindi ko lang makalimutan na this is highlighted by a red — suggestion is for those who are against the vaccination of our children, including PAO Chief Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta, kung ayaw mong magpabakuna, ikaw na lang. Huwag mo nang idamay ang mga bata. This is a suggestion coming from — two Cabinet members,” Duterte said.

“Iyong mga bata ngayon, dapat mabakunahan talaga for them to survive, for they constitute the next generation of Filipinos. If you really love your country, kung mahal mo ang bayan mo, mahal mo ‘yung anak mo, have them vaccinated,” he added.

As of February 7, a total of 129,125,464 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide. Of this number, 60,145,895 Filipinos are now fully vaccinated, while 8,240,672 individuals have received their booster shots or additional doses. ###