The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged local government units (LGU) to intensify their COVID-19 vaccination efforts to reach the 70 percent immunization target by year-end.
In a statement on Wednesday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the national government aims to vaccinate 70% of the total population with at least one (1) dose by end of November and 70% of the total population fully vaccinated by end of December.
“Now that we have around 40 million doses sent to the provinces, we need to immediately jab these vaccines to the general population; thus we need the LGUs to double their efforts,” he said.
As of October 24, 55,71-million doses have been administered in the country, of which 30-million individuals received their first doses, and 25.71-million were fully vaccinated.
Año also urged provinces to distribute to cities and municipalities their vaccine supplies within three days from the date of delivery to avoid wastage.
Cities and municipalities that do not have enough storage facilities with cold chain temperature requirements, Año said the provinces should serve as storage hubs provided that COVID-19 vaccines for first doses are utilized within seven days and on schedule for the second doses.
“Now that we have a steady supply of vaccines, we need to ensure the timely distribution and administration of available vaccines not only to prevent wastage of resources but also to achieve population protection by year-end,” he said.
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