The Group of Twenty (G20) report cited the Philippines as an "example country" for accelerating COVID-19 vaccine deployment, Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez said on April 18.
During President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Talk to the People,” Galvez said the G20, a group of leaders from countries with the biggest economies, recognized the government's efforts to address vaccine deployment.
Based on the report, among the efforts of the government are "engaging celebrities and religious leaders to serve as vaccine advocates; training of health and care and community-based peer educators; and rolling out incentives and nudges to drive uptake, including raffles, free transportation to vaccination sites, and SMS reminders."
“Na-cite po dito na despite the challenges that we had na napakababa po ng ating supply during the early stages, we were able to accelerate itong vaccination po natin,” Galvez said.
The G20 report also stated that the Philippines offers lessons on addressing vaccine hesitancy after the Dengvaxia issue in 2015-2016.
“Ito po [ay isang] napakalaking karangalan sa Pilipinas dahil ito’y napakalaking evaluation ng UNICEF at international community,” Galvez said, “Inilalagay ang Pilipinas na isang ehemplo in terms of reducing vaccine hesitancy, and increased demand for COVID vaccines including the risk communication and communication engagement.”
Despite the G20's recognition, Galvez said the number of individuals administered with a third dose or a booster shot is only 12.6 million or 17.52%.
Galvez also said that among the regions in the Philippines with a low vaccination rate is the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Based on Galvez's report, the BARMM only administered 80,254 booster shots, covering only 2.28% of the region's target population, as of April 17.
Galvez reminded the public to get vaccinated to acquire herd immunity and prevent another surge.
“Huwag po natin sayangin ang ating magandang nangyayari po ngayon,” Galvez said. “Dahil kasi ang ano po natin is mapanatili na po natin na mababa ang ating mga cases at saka ang ating death level, at tuloy-tuloy po na magkaroon po tayo ng magandang ayuda sa ating ekonomiya.”
According to the G20 official site, "The members of the G20 are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Spain is also invited as a permanent guest."
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