WHO exec: Philippine COVID-19 vaccination plan ‘very good’ but challenges may still happen

World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe on Monday commended the COVID-19 vaccination plan of the Philippine government.

However, he noted that challenges are still possible to happen during the actual rollout, which is expected to start by February.

“I believe they have a very good comprehensive plan. What we are concerned about is oftentimes the actual rollout faces challenges although you plan very well,” he said in an interview on ANC.

“This is what we have been discussing with the Department of Health in the case of logistics arrangements, and the National Task Force,” he added.

On Saturday, The National Task Force Against COVID-19 announced that the government had approved and ratified the Philippine National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines.

The task force, its regional and local COVID-19 counterparts, as well as the regional and local COVID-19 vaccination operations centers are mandated to implement and adapt the plan.

'Macroplans'

In a memorandum dated January 26, regional covid-19 vaccination operations centers are directed to develop “macroplans” for deployment and inoculation.

Also, local COVID-19 vaccination operations centers are directed to develop “microplans” for the vaccination rollout.

Abeyasinghe said the WHO is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and local governments in preparation of databases.

The organization is also working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in establishing systems to monitor the possible cases of side effects among vaccine recipients during the rollout.

“These emergency use licensed vaccines should be able to recall those and manage those well,” Abeyasinghe added.

The Philippine government aims to secure around 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate some 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year. — RSJ, GMA News