To move the country closer to herd immunity, a solon has asked the government to use the outlets of pharmacy chains in malls for its vaccination programs, instead of confining them to LGU-designated vaccination centers, which could lead to overcrowding and defeat the purpose of national vaccination program.
To speed up its goal of herd immunity, the national government should seriously consider using pharmacy chains in malls for its Covid-19 vaccine programs, according to a solon.
Senior Citizens Partylist Representative Rodolfo Ordanes said this move could also solve the problem of crowding at LGU-designated vaccination centers.
“Looking ahead to later this year when COVID vaccine supplies are expected to be in the millions for herd immunity goal of 70 percent of the adult population, I recommend to the IATF and its National Task Force that some mall-based outlets of pharmacy chains be included as vaccination sites,” he said in a statement.
Ordanes made the suggestion as he thanked NTF head Secretary Carlito Galvez for acknowledging the Senior Citizen Party-list recommendations on improving the vax campaign.
“I thank the National Task Force of the IATF for its decision to include our suggestions into the 4th Phase of the National Vaccination Program. I commend the IATF and NTF on its inclusive and consultative approach to fighting the pandemic,” he added.
Ordanes said having mall-based outlets of pharmacy chains in the mix of vax modes would “move the country much closer to attaining herd immunity while also reviving economic activity in the malls.”
He also said more pharmacies can be included as vax sites in the coming years when local factories produce Covid-19 vaccines.
Ordanes noted that the United States was able to achieve its vaccination targets because of the inclusion of pharmacies in the vax effort.
The solon also suggested that PCSO be given a key role in the National Vaccination Plan.
“The LGUs are too busy grappling with Covid-19 in their communities, so PCSO should unload its stockpile of medicines and new ambulances swiftly with more pro-active approaches,” he explained.
Tags: #Covid19, #Covid19vaccine, #pharmacies, #SeniorCitizensPartylist