National Task Force Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (Screengrab)
MANILA – The government is targeting to achieve herd immunity in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces by November, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday.
Galvez noted that the Philippines will need a stable supply of at least 15 million doses per month so it can inoculate about 70 percent of the population before the end of the year.
"We can have the herd immunity in NCR and six provinces around NCR by November. Iyon ang tinitingnan namin (That's what we are looking at), 180 days," he said during the Palace press briefing held at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City during the Sputnik V rollout.
The government is eyeing herd immunity in strategic areas with a significant number of Covid-19 infections and with the “highest economic and social impact” despite limited supplies.
"Realistically, we will have a shortfall of supply. We need to strategize that we will get the same effect," Galvez said.
The government should be able to inoculate 120,000 residents daily in the NCR, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.
Galvez earlier said they will also bring vaccines to strategic areas, like Calabarzon and Central Luzon.
"If we can achieve herd immunity by vaccinating up to 70 percent of the residents in these areas, there is a big chance that our economy will recover and we can prevent a surge in cases," he said.
To date, the Philippines has administered some 1,948,080 Covid-19 vaccines for 1,658,539 Filipinos.
The percentage to achieve herd immunity can’t be determined yet, according to the World Health Organization, as Covid-19 is a new disease and further studies must be made. (PNA)
