Newly shipped Pfizer doses to boost 2nd massive vax drive: NTF

MANILA – The newly shipped 1,082,250 doses of Pfizer vaccine came just in time to boost the upcoming second leg of the national vaccination days from December 15 to 17.

On Wednesday night, Dr. Maria Paz Corrales of the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) welcomed the government-procured jabs and urged the public to get their shot as soon as possible and take part in the three-day vaccination drive.

“Sana po ay magpa-bakuna na po ang ating mga kababayan para po masaya ang ating nalalapit na holidays lalo na sa darating na linggo, sa second phase ng national vaccination days (Please get vaccinated for a merry Christmas, especially next week where we will stage the second phase of the national vaccination days),” she said.

The government targets to inoculate about seven million people during the massive vaccination campaign, the second of its kind after the successful first leg from November 29 to December 3.

The three-day drive is nationwide but Corrales said the government will identify 20 key priority areas where the inoculation rate is low, including those in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao.

Amid the threats of the Omicron variant, Corrales also advised the public to avoid or limit time spent in crowded areas and to always observe physical distancing.

“Ang ina-advocate namin (What we advocate) is the usual, the standard health protocols like wearing of a mask, washing of hands, and physical distancing,” she said.

“Kaya tayo nasa Alert Level 2 pa, mayroon tayong tinatawag na mga patakaran na kailangang sundin. Pero siyempre bakuna rin ay number one (We’re still in Alert Level 2, meaning we still have certain protocols that we need to follow. Of course, vaccination is number one),” she added.

The Philippines target to reach population protection and vaccinate at least 54 million people before 2021 ends.

As of December 6, more than 38.69 million people have been fully vaccinated in the country while 561,125 already received their booster shots.