THE government intends to deploy 170,000 to 200,000 health workers to serve as vaccinators during the three-day national Covid-19 vaccination program set on Nov. 29 until Dec. 1.
Dr. Kezia Rosario of the National Vaccination Operation Center (NVOC) stated in an interview at the Palace press briefing on Thursday that the government needs to plan for increased capacity for “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” Day.
She added that the government will have to “mobilize all resources,” including those from the private sector and other government line agencies.
“So, for the vaccinators, kailangan tayo na mag-mobilize ng (we need to mobilize) around 170,000. We are also expecting to be as high as 200,000,” she added.
The vaccination program, according to Rosario, invokes a “Bayanihan” spirit by inviting healthcare professionals from various medical areas to participate in the nationwide event, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, medical technologists, and other medical volunteers.
“Ito naman ay ginagawa natin, not only sa pagbabakuna, ganoon din sa pag-address ng Covid-19 (We are doing this, not only during vaccination but also in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic),” she added.
In a statement, National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government aims to deploy five million doses each day during the three-day vaccination.
Galvez stated that the plan targets to expedite the country’s immunization campaign in order to achieve population protection.
The NTF and NVOC are requesting for Malacañang to issue an executive order, as well as a department circular from the Department of Health, declaring the three-day “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” drive a regular holiday.
