Herd immunity achievable as long as jabs supplies last

MANILA – The government targets to inoculate at least 50 percent of the adult population to achieve herd immunity, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Secretary Vince Dizon said on Saturday.

Once more supplies come in, the goal is achievable by yearend, including at least half of the population of the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus.

“Ayon sa mga eksperto kailangan umabot tayo ng at least 50 pecent of adult population para masimulan na nating maramndaman ang epekto nung pagbabakuna (According to experts, we need to reach at least 50 percent of the adult population so that we can begin to feel the effects of vaccination),” Dizon said in an interview during the symbolic vaccination of essential workers in Taguig City as part of Labor Day celebrations.

“Kailangan malawak at kailangan mabilis ang pagbabakuna natin (We need to hasten and expand our vaccination),” he said.

However, while the government is exerting all efforts to achieve its goal, there should be an assurance for enough and available supplies of Covid-19 vaccines.

“As we continue to recalibrate our vaccination strategy due to supply constraints and the ongoing surge in Covid-19 cases, we are confident that the country will be able to achieve herd containment within this year, with the inoculation of 50 to 70 million Filipinos,” Dizon said during the virtual Vaccine Summit for Equitable Distribution and Safety aired on Friday.

The Philippines is currently inoculating priority groups under categories A1 (healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities).

He said they are now preparing for the vaccination of the next priority groups under A4, or frontline personnel in essential sectors.