12 November 2021 – A proposed three-day no work vaccination holiday is slated on Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, to take place in at least 8,000 vaccination sites spread country-wide.
This is according to National Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez during his presence at the ceremonial vaccination of the pediatric population, last Friday, November 5 at the SM mall parking lot.
The national vaccination program proposes to inoculate 5M individuals per day, to push the level of fully vaccinated individuals up to 15M. This is done with the involvement of various agencies: the Department of Education (Dep-Ed) LGUs, health workers, the medical force and others. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Coast Guard (CG), transportation sector and even the religious sector shall be utilized for the transport, delivery, management and administration of the much-needed vaccines, Galvez said.
Galvez said the program is likened to election day where everyone should focus on having eligible populations vaccinated against Covid-19.
According to Galvez, there is a need to vaccinate the whole population, as no total disease elimination happens with an unvaccinated portion of the population. Vaccination should be incentivized, with restrictions to those unvaccinated as we save lives, protect humanity, and others’ right to global safety protection through immunization, Galvez further said.
We have mandated vaccination against Polio, Rubella, and other diseases afflicting minors, yet this Covid-19 pandemic is worse than the other illnesses mentioned, thus the push for an aggressive vaccination program, he added.
Galvez, together with the dignitaries present witnessed the ceremonial inoculation of several adolescents who underwent health screening and post-vaccination observation.
During the ceremonies, Galvez together with Benjamin Magalong, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Director Helen Tibaldo, Department of Health (DOH) RD Dr. Ruby Constantino, Galvez publicly acknowledged the contribution of four private entities, namely; the University of Baguio through the Bautista family, Baguio Country Club through General Manager Anthony de Leon, Saint Louis University through Fr. Gilbert Sales and SM Baguio through Jansen Pe, which provided venues and oftentimes logistics throughout the 8 ½ months of aggressive vaccination. – Julie G. Fianza
